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Residents ‘tipping off’ suspected violators on VI waters- HM Customs

- As HM Customs teams up with US Customs to crack down illegal activities by boaters; More than $400,000 in fines so far
HM Customs, US Border Patrol, and RVIPF Marine Patrol in a joint operation on Sunday August 21, 2016 while at the West End Ferry Dock. Photo: VINO
The vessel detained on Sunday August 21, 2016. Photo: Provided
The vessel detained on Sunday August 21, 2016. Photo: Provided
Commissioner of Her Majesty’s Customs, Mr Wade N. Smith said was an extensive operation with his agency in collaboration with the US border patrol agency and that of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force. Photo: VINO
Commissioner of Her Majesty’s Customs, Mr Wade N. Smith said was an extensive operation with his agency in collaboration with the US border patrol agency and that of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – While Her Majesty’s Customs and other border protection agencies in the Virgin Islands are upping their efforts to crack down on illegal activities here, a number of residents, including locals, are believed to be bent on encouraging the opposite.

It was on Sunday August 21, 2016 that the US Border Patrol and HM Customs, along with the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF), were spotted patrolling the waters in the Western End of the territory’s waters. And while one would have thought persons would have been happy to have those conducting illegal activities caught and brought to justice, many were found doing the opposite.

Contacted as it relates to this concern, Head of Her Majesty’s Customs Mr Wade N. Smith confirmed our concerns. He said that on Sunday there was an extensive operation with his agency in collaboration with the US border patrol agency.

According to Mr Smith, himself and team were baffled to have been furnished with video recordings taken by person alerting boaters on the waters of the authorities’ presence.

He said: “It was the BVI Customs and US Customs in a joint operation in the BVI waters yesterday, [Sunday August 21, 2016], which is an opportunity that we all welcome the assistance, considering the limited resources all agencies are faced with these days. We must work closely together.”

Opting not to go into detail, Mr Smith said one vessel is currently in detention as a result of the joint operation.

The vessel remains in detention while the captain has been released on conditions as investigations are in progress.

According to Smith, his department in collaboration with others, both local and international, are trying as far as possible to up their moves in combating transnational crimes. “We are trying to make sure that boaters are following the laws outlined under the Customs Management and Duties Act, The Commercial and Recreational Vessels Licensing Act of 1992, Cruising Permit Act and making sure that no one is violating any other laws of the BVI.”

Approximately $400,000 in fines

Over the past months, Her Majesty’s Customs has been engaged in a vibrant campaign to bring the marine industry into compliance.

Mr Smith said there have been substantial fines imposed. “Even though we are grateful for the opportunity to address this to the public, which you (VINO) have assisted us over several weeks, we still find boaters with a high level of non-compliance. So they are non-compliant and we will continue to enforce the laws of the BVI.”

The Customs boss also disclosed to this news site that fines imposed so far have amounted to some $400,000. “Recently, a vessel was fined $18,000 for exceeding the amount of pick-ups in the BVI.”

He explained that charter vessels coming from overseas are allowed a maximum of seven (7) pick-ups in the territory.

“If you are coming from foreign you can have unlimited number of charters originating from foreign but once you originate from the BVI you are only allowed seven pick-ups annually. We want to make sure that the boating community is aware of it because we are here to ensure a level playing field and that’s important, a level playing field for the boating community, for the boating industry and to make sure that the BVI based boats are not at a disadvantage,” Smith said.

25 Responses to “Residents ‘tipping off’ suspected violators on VI waters- HM Customs”

  • wize up (23/08/2016, 11:35) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
    Its about time and the idea is to make it far more difficult for the dope and guns to come in....once the operation continue the territory will be the better; the presence of law enforcement at sea send a message(dont mind the videos)
  • It's about time (23/08/2016, 11:35) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
    We get involve and help to get our country in order. Help from the general public is greatly appreciated. Thanks.
    • It's about time (23/08/2016, 12:41) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
      Revision- We get involve and Help to the local authorities to get our country in order. Any Help from the general public to the authorities is greatly appreciated. Thanks.
  • i from here (23/08/2016, 11:40) Like (44) Dislike (2) Reply
    I so shame of my BVI people for helping others to break the law!

    As a friend I give you one warning for breaking or wanting to break the law, you choose to continue breaking the law you on your own.
  • guth man (23/08/2016, 11:41) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
    good job wade we voting for you in the 5th
  • rattie (23/08/2016, 11:47) Like (16) Dislike (33) Reply
    Set of snich
    • Reply (23/08/2016, 21:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      There are so many things that have not and cannot be said.
    • So what (24/08/2016, 09:19) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Set of snitch because your S$&t was peeped. Yes people continue to drop those quarters. Ring, Ring. Hello police department I have some information for you. Continue dropping those quarters.
    • Mr Shovels (24/08/2016, 18:08) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      You obviously didn't understand the article...
  • home (23/08/2016, 12:09) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Then they complain when crime becomes an issue!!!
  • Yes (23/08/2016, 12:20) Like (6) Dislike (5) Reply
    The only reason NDP allowing this is because the Treasury have lint instead of dollars.
  • wow (23/08/2016, 13:31) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    they the same thing with the police, if cops are out in force some phone calls go out alerting everyone
    • wize up (23/08/2016, 14:31) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ SMH: at least the trouble makers are off the streets/sea....having the police on the highway or customs at sea send the message
  • Personal (23/08/2016, 13:38) Like (3) Dislike (11) Reply
    Why them alwayz friggin up de lokals?
  • man (23/08/2016, 15:56) Like (4) Dislike (15) Reply

    NDP BROKE THE COUNTRY NOW HERE BULL SH***ING HARRASING LOCALS ITS JUST NOT FAIR

  • de silent one (23/08/2016, 16:22) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    Its about time that the authorities make their presence felt. It really besides me to see how some of the young men in this country go out of the way to assist and facilitate criminals and their activities from across our border. It's about time to put a stop to it. Hope that it continues throughout the last evenings and night time. Please, also be mindful of the channel between JVD and St Thomas too. Clean up our waters!
  • See (23/08/2016, 16:52) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Some people get what they deserve . Jail the informants . Enough crap !
  • Laws of the sea (23/08/2016, 20:09) Like (2) Dislike (5) Reply
    I might get curse for this one --- In some Caribbean countries there is a law stating private vessels horse power cannot be faster than the coast guards vessel ... It prohibits any engines from being imported into the territory faster than the authorities.
  • clarification (23/08/2016, 20:11) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    Is there any place where one can get more clarification in regards to the number of pick ups
  • Hmmmm (24/08/2016, 20:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I swear i saw someone snurgle in the other side


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