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VI wants closer collaboration with Jamaica to fight organised crime

- Premier Wheatley said law enforcement officials from VI will be heading to Jamaica soon
The Virgin Islands has benefited from Jamaica's forensics unit in the past but wants closer collaboration in the fight against organised crime. Photo: Internet Source/File
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has stated that the Virgin Islands will be seeking closer collaboration with Jamaica in its fight against crime, especially organised crime. Photo: GIS
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has stated that the Virgin Islands will be seeking closer collaboration with Jamaica in its fight against crime, especially organised crime. Photo: GIS
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has stated that the Virgin Islands will be seeking closer collaboration with Jamaica in its fight against crime, especially organised crime.

The Premier disclosed this information during a press conference on Monday, July 21, 2025.

Mentioning his recent trip to Jamaica for a CARICOM meeting, Premier Wheatley said the trip to Jamaica was important for observing Jamaica’s capabilities in fighting crime.

“I have engaged informally with the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force and will formally raise certain points in our next national security council meeting. I spoke with the Acting Deputy Commissioner from Jamaica, who is very familiar with their situation. We recently received assistance from Jamaica, particularly from their forensic unit, to aid in some investigations.”

‘Closer collaboration’ needed

The Premier indicated that the relationship with Jamaica exists but emphasised the need for closer collaboration, especially regarding Jamaica’s focus on organised crime.

“I believe we have some elements of that issue here, which need to be treated differently. Jamaica understands this very well, and we can benefit from their resources,” he stated.

He further stated, “Once I formally raise this issue in the national security council, we will look into taking another trip to Jamaica with some law enforcement officials. This area falls under the governor's jurisdiction, so I will seek the full support of the national security council and the governor on this proposal,” Premier Wheatley stated.

See related article below:

VI has requested 'more assistance' from UK to combat organised crime- Premier Wheatley

19 Responses to “VI wants closer collaboration with Jamaica to fight organised crime”

  • local boy (28/07/2025, 10:49) Like (27) Dislike (4) Reply
    A joke this; the Jamaicans will take over the bvi. We have jokey leaders that must go.
    • @local boy (28/07/2025, 14:00) Like (7) Dislike (20) Reply
      This is not a joke. I am in agreement with the Premier. I understand where the Premier is coming from. He have to do what he has to do like we all have to do what we have to do when making decisions. We should not have to worry about the Jamaicans taking over the BVI, Take a good look around the BVI and see who exactly is taking over the BVI. The Jamacians is not the ones we should be worrying about. Before y’all come for me, I am not a Jamaican nor am I related to a Jamaican. I am jut being fair and keeping it real.
    • god is watching (29/07/2025, 14:57) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      @local boy Joke indeed. Andrew Holness can't even handle the crime in Jamaica, and our Premier is saying he wants 'closer collaboration with Jamaica in fighting crime?' Am I hearing correctly??
  • Bishop (28/07/2025, 11:07) Like (41) Dislike (3) Reply
    What is wrong with Showande? Collaborate with Jamaica on fighting organized crime? This is a bad joke. I am not gettimg into disecting it. Showande is not good in his head.
  • Real (28/07/2025, 11:44) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    JAMAICA WA SELL OUT TO THE CHINESE YOU WANT HELP WITH CRIME YOU MUST BE A FOOL
  • ting to talk (28/07/2025, 11:52) Like (95) Dislike (2) Reply
    Jamaica has one of the highest crime rates in the world, and you're asking them for help on fighting crime. Look pon jokes.
  • I laugh (28/07/2025, 12:24) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why? Because Jamaica got this down, right? They have all their ducks in a row when it comes to solving crime? Wow, how old is this Premier of ours? What is his leadership experience? In 2025, we got to stop winging it. The world is crazy. We need leaders who can see past next week, next month, next year. He is well travelled, but maybe he is not taking the time to read. The decisions we make today will stare us right back in the face tomorrow. Jamaica is crime ridden and needs help themselves. Wow. You can't make this stuff up.
  • WHAT??? (28/07/2025, 12:43) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    You know dem boy ain leaving once they set foot ower here den we have to call spmboddy to get rod of dem. Wellmaboy.
  • facts (28/07/2025, 13:11) Like (14) Dislike (2) Reply
    Where’s the money coming from. There has been plenty of help offered to the BVI. But it’s all been dismissed as a planned takeover. Sad state of affairs
  • map (28/07/2025, 13:26) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
    Reducing poverty by implementing jobs that uneducated, unprofessional uncertified, and inexperience individual can do every day to earn a living, and crime will also reduce cousin Natalio. Putting people to just clean roads ghuts and drains is temporay. Your people need permanent work 365 yearly. You are ingage in talks already with overseas countries like DR & Guyana to plant food so you prefer to pay other nationals to plant food in their country but can not pay your own people to plant food in our country. You had plans to allow millionaires to plant marijuana in our country and hire locals as the labour force to help plant that marijuana to export for the millionaires profits but never talk about us locals being able to plant and sell our own marijuana to earn from millionaires who visit our islands on a daily basis and would like to purchase marijuana for their recreational medecinal and personal use. Please take your head out the clouds and stop looking to other countries to better your country because we have all thats needed here soil sea and sun to grow and produce 75% of our own food for the harvest is bountiful but the labourers are few so lets create these kind of jobs and invest with our own people to help with food production increase employment and then there will be less crime to solve.
  • Wellsah (28/07/2025, 17:06) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    if you let virgin islanders run the criminal operations unopposed then wouldn't have to worry about outsiders coming here to branch out their organisations or run around unchecked.
  • … (28/07/2025, 22:21) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    We have confronted difficult truths and taken clear action. 4 more years vip
  • game on (29/07/2025, 05:40) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    When we go independent , we will not need help.
  • Yes to UK (29/07/2025, 09:31) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    To the UK you need to stop this Jamaica is full of crocked cops.
  • TIT FOR TAT (29/07/2025, 14:35) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Leave Jamaica out this , playing CARICOM member .
    Check Guyana ????????. So they could br$n down ayo little place !
    And loot out the shops !
    Selfish set a leaders !
  • Tdad (29/07/2025, 17:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Bring the Trini flying squad
    They’ll set examples for the elements
    Talk done …..
  • jamgal (29/07/2025, 21:23) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am in agreement with the Primer, law and order must be restored.
  • Bumble bee (29/07/2025, 21:59) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Jamaica even cant handle their own crimes is we crimen they can handle?This has to be a damn joke . So many senseless crime going on in jamaica for you to look assistance there .nothing can stop crime from happening . Stop waste the damn government money on nonesense we all know u aint to bright in your head .


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