Two held by Immigration in early morning raid
- raid was conducted on Bettito Frett Building around 5:00am
Members of the Joint Agency Task Force conducting an early morning raid on Bettito Frett Building on September 6, 2020. Photo: Team of Reporters
Onlookers outside of the Bettito Frett Building during the raid. Photo: Team of Reporters
Reports reaching Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) indicate that two persons were taken into custody by Immigration Department, following an early morning raid on a building in the heart of Road Town, this morning, September 6, 2020. Photo: Team of Reporters
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Reports reaching Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) indicate that two persons were taken into custody by Immigration Department, following an early morning raid on a building in the heart of Road Town, this morning, September 6, 2020.
The raid, which was conducted by the Joint Agency Task Force, took place around 5:00am.
When contacted for confirmation, Information Officer in the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) Ms Akia L. Thomas stated: “I can confirm that the Joint Task Force conducted an operation at the Bettito Frett Building in Road Town on Sunday, September 6, to ascertain the immigration status of the residents there. As a result, two individuals were taken into custody by the Immigration Department.”
Video footage obtained by our newsroom of the incident showed a number of onlookers gathered outside the building during the operation.
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80 Responses to “Two held by Immigration in early morning raid”
If i can get to hold down 3 jobs. Never mind pandemic, this too shall pass.
When will people learn sense?
A building should also be used for its intended purpose as ascribed in its plan.
How do you know it is still an office building?
Did he told you that it was office spaces?
You need to focus on ya' own backyard! You all know everybody business except yours.
The Jews come from only one of those tribes—the tribe of Judah. When God made His covenant with the children of Israel, it included all 12 tribes—not just the Jews! The Bible also reveals that the Israelites were not chosen because they were superior—but because they "were the least of all peoples" (Deuteronomy 6:7).
They were chosen to learn to live by the laws of God, and provide a practical example to the world of the benefits that come from obeying the laws of God (Deuteronomy 4:1–10). God said they were to be "My servant… a light to the Gentiles" (Isaiah 49:3–6). They were chosen to show the world a better way to live—it was not that they were better!
The biblical concept of God's chosen people is not a trivial issue. It explains why certain nations have been the recipients of so many physical blessings. The Scriptures reveal God's purpose for selecting the nation of Israel, and provide clues to its current identity and location. Bible prophecies indicate that the modern Israelite nations will bear the brunt of the coming tribulation because of their national sins. However, no matter what anyone's national heritage, all who repent—change their lifestyle—and begin to live according to the laws of God, can become part of God's chosen people (1 Peter 2:9), and reign with Christ in the coming Kingdom of God.
It is the perfect breeding ground for illegal immigrants since the building is located by the water. Certainly not healthy in a commercial district. Do we have zoning laws here?
This definitely needs to be fully investigated and nipped in the bud in real time.
but still we are black ppl with no sense. police and immigration officers has nothing to do. when them come to an operation and question being ask them do not even reply to you, black idiots with no professional manners.
Nobody ever raid the Jamaican habitat in Josiahs Bay?
No one should be living in a tent, igloo , sports complex or community center either ( Two years after a devastating hurricane ...but ...HEY.
Shocked to hear about what appears to be illegal immigrants living in so many areas on Tortola: At Long Bush, Sea Cows Bay, Josiah's Bay, Long Look, Prospect Reef and East End. I have heard on the radio about the squatters at Paraquita Bay on government land, and also that some undocumented persons are even venturing over to Anegada.
Looks like we have an epidemic on our hands, and if we don't watch sharp Tortola will soon be looking like a Third World country.
The people of these islands have made too many sacrifices to raise the bar here. We cannot allow our standard to fall. People, if you see something, speak out and continue to say something.
Government Leaders, what are you doing about this serious situation?
Josiah’s bay cottage have a lot of il**** people living down there also.
1) His Banker refused to release nearly $1million dollars of his insurance funds that was necessary to complete his hotel project for which they approved after he decided to convert the office complex into a hotel.
2) His Banker used these funds to service his loans after the buildings were destroyed by hurricane Irma contrary to his loan agreement which states that the insurance funds must be used either for the restoration of the properties or the reduction and discharge of his debt. The banker argued that he can do both and Mr. Frett said no and that they should give him all of his insurance money to enable him to finish his hotel building so that he can service his debt.
3) From 2008 - 2012 his banker was charging him 30% interest on $6.5 million dollar loan according to his Loan Schedule and in 2012 they reduced it to 5.5%.
4) in 2019 the bank offered him a deal as follows:- a) they would lend him back his own insurance money but he must pay it back within 2 years together with interest. b) He must complete the hotel project within 2 years and if he does not finish it he must peaceable surrender his property to them. c) He must pay back his existing loan together with his insurance money totaling approximately $6.4 million in 2 years together with interest. Mr. Frett refused to sign the agreement d)Thereafter, the bank told him that it would cost approximately $ 2 Million to complete the hotel project and he should deposit just over a Million dollars in their bank and if he did not do so they would foreclose on him. Mr. Frett told them no it will only cost $500,000 or less to complete the building so he did not deposit the funds and the bank foreclose on him. Mr. Frett sued the bank and there is an injunction preventing the bank from selling the property until the matter is heard in the Courts.
The bank is practicing Predatory Lending in the B.V.I. and this should not be condoned.
The bank is grossly unfair to Mr. Frett and they are the ones who created this eyesore in the middle of the capital. Shame on the bank and not on Mr. Frett because he stood up for his rights the bank is trying to destroy him. I wish that there were many British Virgin Islanders like him. Mr. Frett is a highly educated simple man who tries to help every one and he will not have any illegal immigrants living in his building . The 2 persons came in legally but overstayed and because of the country being shut down they got stuck like many more here in the British Virgin Islands. Why don't you ask the immigration department how many passports they have in their possession since January and they cannot get flights to send out those persons who overstayed.