Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

Three charged in cocaine seizure; arrests made for destroying evidence - Police

July 22nd, 2023 | Tags: police arrest Virgin Islands Tortola crime Cacaine
Police in the Virgin Islands have charged three persons and arrested several others as it continues inquiries into the cocaine seizure, as well as firearms, boat, and ammunition detained during the operation on Wednesday evening July 19, 2023. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Police in the Virgin Islands have charged three persons and arrested several others as it continues inquiries into the cocaine seizure, as well as firearms, boat, and ammunition detained during the operation on Wednesday evening July 19, 2023, the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has detailed.

Police in a release today, Saturday, July 22, 2023, said Dion Leslie McMaster, 38, of Brady Ghut was charged with possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply to another, unlawful possession of a controlled drug, keeping an unlicenced firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition.

In addition, Zuri Reid, 40, and Ruth Gonzalez Tellez, 28, both of Belle Vue was charged with keeping an unlicenced firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition.

As it related to the deliberate setting of a power boat in fire, police said several persons have been arrested in the last 24 hours in relation to the destruction and theft of two seized vessels as part of the operation.

“One seized vessel, suspected to be involved in ramming of the police vessel at sea, was set ablaze in a calculated effort to destroy evidence and another was reported missing.”

They added that fortunately, all necessary examinations were completed on both vessels by the RVIPF, and no relevant evidence was destroyed by these actions.”

Police further added that persons with useful information regarding the crimes are being asked to contact the RVIPF Intelligence Unit at 368-9339 or anonymously through the Crimestoppers hotline number 8008477.

31 Responses to “Three charged in cocaine seizure; arrests made for destroying evidence - Police”

  • HMMM (22/07/2023, 17:39) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
    So one boy set a fire and the other is missing wow. Really embrassing
  • WHAT!!! (22/07/2023, 18:04) Like (38) Dislike (0) Reply
    Already got suspects for setting fire to boat, great police work.
    • @WHAT!!! (22/07/2023, 22:22) Like (20) Dislike (11) Reply
      If this station and its ground were properly manned and secured. how did the fire occurred. All these officers, but nowhere to be seen. Whomever was assigned to work during this offense needs to be reprimanded.
  • 2023 (22/07/2023, 18:20) Like (26) Dislike (2) Reply
    youth man dem watching to much television or playing to much video games because they have a hard time realizing this is a real world

    far to much video cameras and somehow some young man dealing with foolishness

    this bull piss some of these youth men dealing with just making my country look bad and just giving Buckingham an excuse

    youth man babylon have all the drug runs under their skin so your movement is just a set up(con plan)
  • YES... (22/07/2023, 18:46) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    "Book em' Danny!"
  • A LOT OF PEOPLE (22/07/2023, 19:43) Like (9) Dislike (2) Reply
    ARE HOLLERING OUT , ( INSIDE JOB ) BUT HOW CAN THAT BE ? , IF ALL THE EVIDENCE WERE ALREADY TAKEN , THEN THERE WON'T BE NO NEED TO BURN THE BOAT , BECAUSE THE PERSON OR PERSONS ON THE INSIDE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE KNOWN POLICE PROCECEDURES AND WOULD KNOW IT WOUL D BE USELESS TO DO SO AFTER ALL THE EVIDENCE HAD ALREADY BEEN COLLECTED
    • A lot of people (22/07/2023, 23:31) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
      A lot of people refused to think positive where police is concerned. There would rather support any or all that is negative, even when it absolutely makes no sense. Their bias and deep rooted hatred make for some of the most irrational thinkers. Once it's anti-police, the technique of deflection is often used. A typical character of those whose own or relative interest is affected.
      Their opinions, as they float, may have some effect on here or outside. However, I hope that the twelve in court, will allow the evidence presented, to speak for itself.
      Let justice prevail!
  • Fly Ya (22/07/2023, 20:46) Like (5) Dislike (11) Reply
    Reid,Tellez,,MTeller, McMaster,all non BVIslanders with " keys" to the guns plus ammunition factories utilizing ready access storage in these VI.
    Profile of criminal tampering with evidence by arson on Police site; Young Black males with ties to the upper Caribbean Islands.
  • lol (22/07/2023, 20:48) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    The police together with their international counterparts are on top of things with dealing with the third pillar. Its interesting to see who has the most negative things to say. I am sure eyes are on you and your transactions.
  • 3 stooges (22/07/2023, 21:10) Like (13) Dislike (4) Reply
    Am so happy for you guys , you won't be missed at the village , count your blessings / some are 6ft and some went missing , but your aszzes is alive , hopefully pumpkin can entertain you guys in his castle smile ???? ???? ????
  • smh (22/07/2023, 21:47) Like (5) Dislike (36) Reply
    This whole ting was a set up, free my dawgs.
  • East Side (22/07/2023, 21:50) Like (16) Dislike (26) Reply
    FREE MY DAWG GOMEZ! He ain going be the first nor last! Go find the real criminals and killers! The man is a good man! Good family man just trying to make a living! Nuff respect dawg! You going be safe! Alotta them just typing behind keyboards! Setta PUNK MS!!
    • HMMM (22/07/2023, 23:50) Like (8) Dislike (6) Reply
      So some are punks for talking but yet u a real gangster yet on the same internet minding ppl business. U are a wanna be get that in ur empty skull
    • Stacy J (23/07/2023, 02:22) Like (20) Dislike (3) Reply
      @East Side while you yourself hiding behind the keyboard?!! Why wouldn’t you make this same comment on the News article that’s on Facebook??? You won’t because you’re a punk
      • Stacy J (23/07/2023, 09:11) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
        I don have to hide my girl! Because guess wa I ain posting no negative comments. Dumb a**
  • HMMM (22/07/2023, 23:39) Like (5) Dislike (15) Reply
    They was to burn that boat down from the beginning. Ayo officers less less. Big motorcade to bring that boat town basically 2 days after the incident and couldn’t even guard it right in ayu yard.
  • tola (23/07/2023, 00:59) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
    @ East Side you is rhe punk MS go look work a set a lazy a... think running drugs is good but look at the surrounding lots of young people are dead because greed and fast money but easy come easy go ...
  • bvi (23/07/2023, 06:52) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Where criminals are heroes?
  • Beep beep (23/07/2023, 08:51) Like (35) Dislike (4) Reply
    I noticed a lot of drug runners are into the trucking business.
  • 2023 (23/07/2023, 10:41) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
    does the drug belong to the person being caught while at sea or is there is an actual owner on in this territory or the USA; because people goes to HM Prison just for smoking the Joint BUT nothing ever happens to the pusher man…….why cant babylon allow the shipment to come ashore and monitor it and sees where it goes….or just the little boys babylon happy to jail while other in this country running around free

  • smh (23/07/2023, 14:34) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Where are the pics ???? Inquiring minds needs to see them.
  • Beep beep (23/07/2023, 15:47) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hahahaha I struck a nerve huh?? Lmao!!!!! All you dirty criminals are going DOWNNNNN!!! BWAHAHAA! WOOP ! WOOP!!
  • @ 2023 (23/07/2023, 16:14) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    THOSE ARE MY THOUGHTS TOO , AND I'VE BLOGGED ABOUT IT EVEN BEFORE OUR COACH GOT STUNG , NOW THEY GOT TWO BIG FISHES , BUT THERE HAS TO BE SOMEONE OR OTHERS ON THE LAND WHO IS CONTROLLING THE FLOW OF DRUGS COMING AND GOING , SO YOUR IDEA IS GOOD ???? , AND WHAT AMAZES ME IS HOW CAN THESE PEOPLE LIVE A LIFE OF LUXURY IN THE SUNSHINE WITH ALL THE INNOCENT BLOOD OF THE YOUTHS ON THEIR HANDS , WHO ARE BEING GUNNED DOWN OR GORNE MISSING / HOW DO THESE PEOPLE EAT , DRINK AND GO TO SLEEP AT NIGHT ???? WHILE PORTRAYING AN IMAGE OF A SAINT IN THEIR COMMUNITY


Create a comment


Submit comment

Create a comment

Submit comment
Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.