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VI men allegedly nabbed with 667kg of cocaine off St Croix

- face life in prison if found guilty
United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert announced Monday, January 10, 2022, that three [British] Virgin Islands citizens and one citizen of the Dominican Republic were arrested January 9, 2022, on criminal charges related to their alleged possession with intent to distribute 667 kilograms of cocaine on-board a vessel apprehended near St Croix, US Virgin Islands (USVI). Photo: Getty Images
VI CONSORTIUM

FREDERIKSTED, St Croix, USVI- United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert announced Monday, January 10, 2022, that three [British] Virgin Islands citizens and one citizen of the Dominican Republic were arrested January 9, 2022, on criminal charges related to their alleged possession with intent to distribute 667 kilograms of cocaine on-board a vessel apprehended near St Croix, US Virgin Islands (USVI).

According to court documents, on January 9, 2022, at approximately 3:30 pm, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Operations (CBP-AMO) along with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) detected a thirty-two feet vessel headed north towards the vicinity of the [British] Virgin Islands.

When law enforcement approached the vessel, it was dead in the water. Captaining the vessel was VI resident Shannon John. Passengers included Sean John and Emmanuel Tolentino-Lebron, both also from the VI, and Augusto RodriquezMolina, a citizen of the Dominican Republic.

667kg of cocaine discovered

Federal authorities located approximately 667 kilograms of cocaine packaged in approximately 20 block-shaped bales onboard.

All four men were arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine on a covered vessel, and conspiracy to commit the same offense, in violation of 46 U.S.C. § 70503(a)(1) & 46 U.S.C. § 70506(b).

If convicted, they face a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the US Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

CBP-AMO and Homeland Security Investigations are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Everard E. Potter is prosecuting the case.

24 Responses to “VI men allegedly nabbed with 667kg of cocaine off St Croix”

  • SMH (10/01/2022, 18:32) Like (59) Dislike (5) Reply
    Fast money fast life fast death or fast jail
  • home boy (10/01/2022, 18:34) Like (38) Dislike (1) Reply
    You do the crime,you do the time.
  • Could (10/01/2022, 18:44) Like (41) Dislike (19) Reply
    It possibly be two of the men were the two that is missing from Tortola? if it is, they will never see Tortola again. They will be spending the rest of their lives in CLUB FED.
  • black (10/01/2022, 20:17) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
    Boss alu dont worry about me and my bro. We all safe and chill in the feds. Dont mind we bout to get ploughed and tagged team on . Once the dust settles at USP we will be the dons up in here for the next 25 years.
  • It's about time... (10/01/2022, 20:29) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    These two have been arrested and thrown in jail by the RVIPF multiple times, only to be back out on the streets days later like they're untouchable. Finally, they'll get what they deserve and be off the streets for a long, long time.
  • trust (10/01/2022, 21:02) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Don’t drop the soap,
    Hope you guys give your heart to the lord cause that’s years in prison wow
  • Local (10/01/2022, 21:22) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Cant beat US surveillance uncle Tom have eyes and ears all over from South straight up the corridor so unless your vessel dont have that camouflage to be invisible you will be caught. Next time use a submarine .Dont worry you guys still young so you be back in your forties.
  • Madussa (10/01/2022, 22:02) Like (23) Dislike (0) Reply

    Two brothers S**** and S*****n from Long Look. Their mother's heart is broken I know, but she knew they were into dirty dealings, but they are grown men with children and knew better. Live life in the fast lane and this is the result. DAMN!

    • Captain Obvious (11/01/2022, 08:42) Like (3) Dislike (6) Reply
      Saying she knew is to what point? As if
      • Madussa (13/01/2022, 07:28) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        @, but her heart is still hurting Captain Obvious, so she should not be surprised by their arrests. Probably hoping they wouldn't get caught and reaping the awards they gave her. No criminal forget their mom needs things too. Case closed!
  • ... (10/01/2022, 22:14) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    the two missing men further down the road in another jail that dont give calls they will be out after time served
  • say what (11/01/2022, 06:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    so which is it Vino.
    667 kilos in 20 packages. ?? thats over 30 kilos per.

    later it says being charged with intent to distribute 5 kilos

    askin for a friend
    • Response (11/01/2022, 07:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @say what
      US Federal law distinguishes drug trafficking offenses by the type and amount of drugs involved; i.e., over or under 5 kilos.
  • jah (11/01/2022, 07:40) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    That's beauty about tola news..no photo.
  • it hurts (11/01/2022, 07:41) Like (5) Dislike (13) Reply
    When I hear or see Brainless People handling these million dollars investment... 1st, You avoid federal waters at all cost. It's life in Prison the risk don't worth it ...2nd they chat too much it's obvious the feds knew about this running. 3rd Just the Captain alone should be on the drug boat with an escorting fishing boat about a mile a head carrying the others. In the event the trip go wrong it's only one person get sacrifice.... Pay me a billion to move illegal drug through federal waters. Never.. In the BVI waters I may give a billion some consideration. I have to be incharge of the plan. The operation..
    • Response (11/01/2022, 08:02) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
      @it hurts
      1st, 2nd, 3rd - Find a legal way to earn a living and support your family.

      Drug and human trafficking is not a career.
  • Hawaii 5-0 (11/01/2022, 07:59) Like (27) Dislike (0) Reply
    Play stupid games... win stupid prizes! Congratulations. You are the winner of a life sentence in jail. Beg and plead for mercy from the court cause you're damned if you do and you're damned if you don't. Question for the mules though. Out of curiosity, when you get a job to move this product and it doesn't get to the destination, what do you tell the "boss"? Booooy, my bad my bad weeee'n guhn geh ketch deh nex toime?
    Y'all stop glamorizing drug trafficking! look at this lil young Spanish dude that is now caught up in this. All for what? to wear a big gold chain? How many of you have anything worthwhile for being in the trade? Make a bag of money if you survive and then blow it all showing off or get caught or murked. I'll pass. Let me work hard for mine. An honest day's work for an honest day's pay. Go home, plant banana and eat fish and pray to see the light of a next day...FREE
  • vi (11/01/2022, 09:48) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    They was waiting on them
  • Water in de bucket (11/01/2022, 15:14) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wellsa i hope that one with the brokeup hip know how to wuck up in prison lamooooo
    • Greg (11/01/2022, 20:28) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
      @ Water in de bucket. Remember just some months ago in Fat Hogs Bay, he was driving his car backwards trying to get away from the police, any everyone was saying how good his driving skills were? Well, his driving skills in a boat....NOT SO GOOD.
  • Jaj (12/01/2022, 12:32) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Moon ah run until day catch um remember rat always forget but trap don't forget


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