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Wade N. Smith back in court over alleged illegal police search of home

-Comptroller of Customs files Judicial Review on procedures over home search
Comptroller of Customs Mr. Wade N. Smith who was placed on administrative leave since August 2022 without reasons shared with the public domain, has through his high-powered Attorney Mr Terrence F. Williams, taken the government to court once again. Photo: VINO/File
Attorney Mr. Williams, when reached by our newsroom, declined to comment, but confirmed that the JR was filed. Photo: Team of Reporters
Attorney Mr. Williams, when reached by our newsroom, declined to comment, but confirmed that the JR was filed. Photo: Team of Reporters
WEST END, Tortola, VI - Comptroller of Customs Mr. Wade N. Smith who was placed on administrative leave since August 2022 without reasons shared with the public, has through his high-powered Attorney Mr Terrence F. Williams, taken the government to court once again.

In a first Judicial Review (JR) that took place in November 2022, Mr Smtih took the Government to court to answer the questions pertaining to why he was sent on Administrative leave. 

This time, Mr. Smith has filed a new JR over the alleged illegal search of his home by UK police officers last year. 

Mr. Smith is seeking to find out if the protection offered in Section 19 of the VI constitution to the people of the Virgin Islands (VI,) against the search of property or person, was violated by the UK Police Officers.

It is believed that a search may have been conducted on one of Mr. Smith’s homes while he was not there to witness the search and removal of items; however, our news center is working on more details to confirm if this indeed took place. 

The JR is seeking answers in statutes, on whether the UK police officers may have acted improperly, and if the other legal procedures against arbitrary searches were followed. Attorney Mr. Williams, when reached by our newsroom, declined to comment, but confirmed that the JR was filed.

Police target of some?

It is believed that the former Customs Boss became a target of the police, after statements he made conflicted with that of Police Commissioner Mark Collins on the ‘boat bar hopping’ scandal.

Mr Smith had publicly said that the boat bar hopping by some members of the police force who used a small police vessel, was not an official operation, as claimed by police boss Mark Collins. Mr Smith further detailed that if there was a police operation at sea, his department would have been involved. 

Additionally, Mr Smith Custom’s department was bold enough to conduct a raid on a charter company at Nanny Cay, Tortola where some elements of the community got upset as if they were ‘untouchable’.

In the raid, they reportedly found Charter companies operating without Commercial Recreational Vessel licenses, Vessels in Violation of Importation Requirements, illegal workers, Vessels not duty paid, and persons in the territory illegally.  They also discovered Vessels in the territory illegally. 

The UK-sponsored Commission of Inquiry in its final report found no corruption under Mr Smith's leadership at the Customs Department. However, some residents claimed they have been the target of UK police officers because of being outspoken against double standards and unjust practices in the British Overseas Territory of the VI.

43 Responses to “Wade N. Smith back in court over alleged illegal police search of home”

  • one eye (29/05/2023, 15:08) Like (39) Dislike (9) Reply
    Keep fighting ele
    • NezRez (30/05/2023, 10:17) Like (15) Dislike (2) Reply
      Imagine, coming home and someone has broken in and gone through all of your personals. In any court of law that is considered "BURGLARY"! There was no search warrant, so make me understand how this is not a "BURGLARY". If the crooked cops had stolen something like jewelry, money, or anything, they would have sworn they didn't do it. SUE their behinds, Mr. Smith, this is unbelievable!
      • Oh Please (30/05/2023, 21:36) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
        Dem search because they had reasons and exception to rules They got cleared. And the OK from wherever..They not Stupid.
        • @oh please (31/05/2023, 13:53) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
          You can not illegally search someone's home without a warrant, for a warrant to be issued there needs to be probable cause therefore if the law entered your home without a warrant that search is deemed illegal and it the fruit of a poisoned tree and is also deems inadmissible in the courts. I hope this helps.
  • usvi (29/05/2023, 15:15) Like (37) Dislike (11) Reply
    Fight the power wade
  • Hmmmm (29/05/2023, 15:16) Like (33) Dislike (21) Reply
    The colonial masters are abusing their powers to try to justify their projected take over.
    • 2023 (30/05/2023, 07:33) Like (13) Dislike (6) Reply
      @Hmmmm
      what is so fascinating after 1834 those colonialist left this territory and our people for dead however our people rise above the ashes we went from the Bird-Sanctuary also out of Grant In Aid from the colonialist

      In the 20s they have returned with modern day Slick Moves(these folks kill off black people each and every day for many many years....and some of you still see nothing wrong with such behavior
  • No doubt (29/05/2023, 15:16) Like (31) Dislike (17) Reply
    The slavery mill is grinding slow but grinding still.
    • 2023 (29/05/2023, 16:39) Like (28) Dislike (10) Reply
      @ No doubt
      back then we were put on the plantation now prison is were they want us

      the slave mill continues to grind
  • facts (29/05/2023, 15:18) Like (29) Dislike (12) Reply
    Anyone who opposes the dictatorship of the Governor and his UK Commissioner of Police becomes a target but they will set up the attack so good they will have us believing them but truth will always come out sooner or later.
  • My Take (29/05/2023, 15:21) Like (37) Dislike (13) Reply
    Imagine what will happen to the common man if the Governor gets his way to have this new police act passed as it is presently laid out . All of our democratic rights will be gone and we will have no recourse as it would be done by the law. This is concerning.
  • The Reality (29/05/2023, 15:26) Like (38) Dislike (12) Reply
    The UK Commissioner of Police clearly thinks nothing of the people of the BVI and the same for most of who he brought in from the UK. They say when a man is drunk he says exactly how he feels about you and then either deny or apologize when he gets sober if he feels it got out. They think nothing about the majority of people of the BVI and they intend to turn the BVI into a police state when in fact only a few bad apples are in the BVI. The most of us are positive people but they are trying to potrary us as otherwise. This is not good and not needed. It is all about power and take over intentions.
  • In the future (29/05/2023, 15:28) Like (15) Dislike (3) Reply
    The police needs to be under an independent body and not under any Governor or Minister of Government as here lies the really issues as agendas are being set and carried out at the expense of the people of the BVI and its future.
  • 7 footer (29/05/2023, 15:29) Like (20) Dislike (51) Reply
    Going to need a tall cell for this soon to be jailbird. And a 7ft bed to.
  • Okay now (29/05/2023, 15:30) Like (24) Dislike (20) Reply
    The colonial masters want Customs fully under them so they can really enslave us through the police and customs filled with their people at the top alone. This is just about modern day slavery using modern day tactics but with the same slavery intentions.
  • Notice (29/05/2023, 15:33) Like (23) Dislike (11) Reply
    Notice this UK Commissioner of Police & Governor who is over the police pushes locals & Caribbean persons to join the force but it is always at the beginning level. At the senior level they have filled those up with UK persons mainly. If this is not a sure sign of racism them tell me what is.
  • Senior public officer (29/05/2023, 15:37) Like (32) Dislike (4) Reply
    BVI people stay awoke. No matter what the UK Officers do questionable it is investigated by their boss only and are always found to be innocent. There is never an independent team allowed to investigate them and their questionable actions. But they can investigate Customs, Immigration, and all others and always find something to put us all into question. This is not good governance and it erodes democracy. They are using their positions to make us feel we can never trust our people and can only trust them. We have to stand up for what is right.
  • Different angle (29/05/2023, 15:42) Like (33) Dislike (5) Reply
    I see what is in a man's heart by what he does and not what he says. All I will say is the two main areas the Governor is pushing ARE: 1) The acceleration of the issuance of Belonger and Residence status so his kind can soon out number the locals & Caribbean people in the BVI with status to act as plan B of their takeover plan. 2) The passing of a non-democratic police act where the police will have more powers than a magistrate, judge or the whole judiciary while violating our rights but making it legal through a law.

    ENOUGH SAID!!! WAKE UP BVI!!!
    • @ different angle (30/05/2023, 06:36) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
      So correct! The British overseas territories are their paradise. They do not want to retire in some 15 minute city in the UK. They're setting up right here. BVI wake up!
      • @@ different angle (30/05/2023, 21:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Hope u are correct. Enough of the body count riddled c with bullets and blood sopping up the garbage strewned dirt, Enough sleepless nights resulting from wannabe men attempting to find their failed manhood. Down with the cannibals. Eating our lives .Make BVI a place for civility once again.
    • @ Differrnt Angle (30/05/2023, 21:55) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Hmmm...The new angle is a good plan. The " k I nd " now dominating with e many pockets , with larceny and murder,poverty and filthyhabits is not at all a good look. Bad for tourism and investment and quality of life. Real Estate value in a new angle scenario...hey that would be suuuuprr for the BVIslanders of landownership.
      It is glaringly evident that the VI needs to revise the demographics of its population.
  • the set up (29/05/2023, 15:47) Like (26) Dislike (5) Reply
    I went to watch the COI proceedings again. I noticed the UK Commissioner of Police was allowed to tell his one sided story to the UK appointed Commissioner of the COI. However, the Commissioner of Customs was ridiculed and attacked with all kind of accusations by the UK COI Commissioner, however he handled himself well. Most persons on the street see most of these actions for what they are which is targeting local persons in high positions in the BVI who oppose the colonial plot. It is as simple as that.
  • The bloodless takeover (29/05/2023, 16:18) Like (21) Dislike (1) Reply
    The best way to takeover a people is to put them not to believe in each other and themselves. Then this will put them to fight each other and do not stop until they ensure the demise of each other thereby call on the devil himself who stayed behind the scenes and orchestrated the chaos to be the one to come forward with their permission to be the savior. Only to find out afterwards they are worse off under the leadership of the devil than under their own people they were unknowingly cohersed to eliminate. At this time it will be too late as the plot to enslave would have been successful. The more things change the more they remain the same.
  • jokers (29/05/2023, 16:56) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    Land tax house tax is a reminder
    That We Are not Free!!!
  • lol (29/05/2023, 17:12) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Former? Isn’t he still in post but on Admin Leave?
  • lol (29/05/2023, 17:18) Like (8) Dislike (8) Reply
    This is where it went wrong. The Commissioner of Customs has nothing absolutely nothing to do with the operation of the Police assets,which includes,man woman,Dog,Vehicle,Horse Plane,Boat ,whatever.
    So that means he can not say who,where ,when,why the Police boat or donkey can or can not go. Whether is black Pink or white man on it.
    The same way the Commissioner of Police can not tell the Commissioner of Cutoms about the operation of his assets,so stop the confusión that you all are trying to create.
    Leave that out of the search business. Tso completely different things and they will always be like that.
    Instigator,who ever you are stop being ignorant and showing it.
  • Govt Offical #1 (29/05/2023, 17:35) Like (14) Dislike (7) Reply
    Keep on with the litigation lol. You will get your day in court wade smith.
  • BOI YOU JUST LOVE DRAMA (29/05/2023, 17:50) Like (7) Dislike (13) Reply
    WRITING AND BLOGGING. UNDER ALL KINDS OF NAMES TO FOOL PEOPLE AND CREATE DRAMA / YOU WANT TO BE A HERO SO MUCH THAT YOU HAVE BECOME OBSESSED WITH YOUR FANTASY , WHEN IS YOUR MOVIE COMING OUT , ( HERE'S A NAME TO FIT ( PROPAGANDA & FICTION ) STARING BLONDIE ????
  • Facial expression (29/05/2023, 17:59) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    For the dude who is smiling ????) IS SAYING )> BOY , AM GONNA GET RICH OFF OF THESE JOKERS , ????
  • Rhythm up.. (29/05/2023, 18:08) Like (42) Dislike (10) Reply
    Smart move, to get info but a case he cannot win..What is an illegal search? Was the warrant to search in another person name? The search warrant had to be signed by the Judge or Magistrate with supporting evidence...This case only make sense if he needs to know what evidence the police presented to the judge to get the warrant. Once he knows that he knows where and who its coming from..So he knows, hmm...Ok..So, and so is now Ratting....
    • @rhythm (30/05/2023, 07:38) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      He has to be there. He was not there.
      • Rhythm up..@ Rhythm up.. (30/05/2023, 16:16) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
        If its true that they search the man property in his absence, that's not only illegal that's criminal..
  • Scary (29/05/2023, 18:25) Like (14) Dislike (3) Reply
    This is a scary situation in that the Governor and his Commissioner of Police can go at anyone who they want to go at at any time and feel there is no law to hold them accountable.
  • @ lol (29/05/2023, 18:45) Like (5) Dislike (8) Reply
    SO YOU HAVE SEEN THROUGH BLONDIE'S CHARADE , , AMD YOU USE THE RIGHT WORD ( INSTIGATOR ) HE JUST KEEPS ON SPEWING KOUR HIS RACISM RETHORIC EVERYDAY WRITING AND BLOGGING TO HIS WRITING AND USING DIFFERENT NAMES TO CREATE FALSE NUMBERS , AND ESPECIALLY SINCE HE GOT BLASTED OUT OF THE HOA , WHICH HE THOUGHT HE OWNED , HIS MIND IS SICKENING
  • bvi (29/05/2023, 18:52) Like (15) Dislike (5) Reply
    Keep a keen eye on this Commissioner of Police & Governor.
  • Lol. (29/05/2023, 20:44) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    What law that is there so the Commissioner of Customs has any authority over the Police assests. What ignorance are you speaking.
    You must go and read the law.
    People there is only one authority that is responsible for security in this country/ Territory and that is the Police.
    Ok then,can you say which other Department oath.
    Come on. Don't be ignorant and show it.
    • The Slip Hammer (30/05/2023, 13:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      at lol really!!! One authority for national security? Make it make sense.
  • money (30/05/2023, 09:19) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    The only parties that benefit in these types of disputes are the petitioner's lawyers.
  • 911 (30/05/2023, 09:54) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Let’s just treat each other right
  • ... (30/05/2023, 12:16) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    well I mean if you have nothing to hide then... after the big scandal and the head coach making preparations to ease drugs in the territory , you got to look from all angles. I'm just saying.
  • ReX FeRal (30/05/2023, 14:59) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    The UK will always issues with intelligent black people in the virgin island... I went there because it is true.


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