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Wade N. Smith wins Judicial Review against Sr Magistrate, Top CoP

Commissioner of Customs Wade N. Smith has won a judicial review against the Senior Magistrate, Tamia Richards and the Commissioner of Police Mark Collins in the High Court yesterday, April 24, 2024. Photo: VINO/File
Mr Wade N. Smith was sent on administrative leave over a year ago and faced charges of breach of trust as a public officer where the Sr Magistrate Tamia Richards granted a warrant for his resident to be searched which resulted in his phone and other equipment seized, including documents with no connection to the charges. Photo: VINO/File
Mr Wade N. Smith was sent on administrative leave over a year ago and faced charges of breach of trust as a public officer where the Sr Magistrate Tamia Richards granted a warrant for his resident to be searched which resulted in his phone and other equipment seized, including documents with no connection to the charges. Photo: VINO/File
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) alone has been rocked with over 10 lawsuits from Commissioner of Police Mark Collins' very own police officers and civilians. Photo: VINO/File
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) alone has been rocked with over 10 lawsuits from Commissioner of Police Mark Collins' very own police officers and civilians. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI– Commissioner of Customs Wade N. Smith won a Judicial Review against the Senior Magistrate, Tamia N. Richards, and the Commissioner of Police, Mark Collins, in the High Court yesterday, April 24, 2024.

This comes after Mr Smith was sent on Administrative Leave over a year ago and faced charges of Breach of Trust as a Public Officer. According to the details, when Magistrate Richards granted a warrant for Mr Smith's residence to be searched, it resulted in his phone and other equipment being seized, including documents with no connection to the charges.

According to sources familiar with the case, the court under Justice Sonia Young found the actions of the Senior Magistrate unreasonable and lacked substance and not justified.

The court also found that the Magistrate ought to have given her reason for issuing the warrant, and it did not require her to be elaborate, but she could not be made to disregard the rights of the individual.

The court also ruled that while the Magistrate's Code provides the Magistrate with authority to issue warrants, the Magistrate should have done so in consideration of Mr Smith's right to privacy and more. 

Breach of Trust should be spelt out on warrant - Court finds 

Meanwhile, it was also found that the Magistrate failed to have an inter-partes hearing, although Mr Smiths' Attorney requested same so that the items taken from his property could be brought before the court.

As part of the decision by the High Court Judge, it was also found that because the arrest was one for Breach of Trust, the offence should have been spelt out on all warrants. This step could have prevented the police from taking evidence which could not aid their investigations.

Smith’s case continues as it relates to the first Judicial Review against the Government, specifically, the Governor, the Human Resources Director, and the Public Service Commission (PSC), on a number of grounds found here.

The government continues to rack up bills over lawsuits brought against it by the public.

The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) alone has been rocked with over 10 lawsuits from Commissioner of Police Mark Collins' very own police officers and civilians. In addition, many public officers are taking court actions against the Governor, Attorney General and others over them being sent on leave or charged with Breach of Trust.

22 Responses to “Wade N. Smith wins Judicial Review against Sr Magistrate, Top CoP ”

  • jack (25/04/2024, 15:07) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
    What else is new they have lots more to loose
    • Time to change the DPP (26/04/2024, 10:13) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      The DPP just lost another case against Alwyn (the former deputy COP). Thrown out because of a lack of candour by the prosecutor. She is an embarrassment. Why hasn’t she been fired.
  • smh (25/04/2024, 15:22) Like (37) Dislike (7) Reply
    I am so disappointed in Tamia for allowing the governor, COP and the UK polices to lead her down the path of wrong doing. It hurts even more that it’s against her own people that she very well know more than they will ever know. I will never look at you Tamia the same. Considering all, Tamia AG, DPP and the senior management team in the police force who sit there and allow COP to bully all of you into wrongful doing. Weak weak all of you who are place in position to protect the citizens from wicked forces.
    • HON GASTON BROWNE (25/04/2024, 17:16) Like (4) Dislike (11) Reply
      UNDERSTAND HOW THE SYSTEM WORK POILICE HAVE A SEARCH WARRANT THAT WARRANT IS PRESENTED TO A MAGISTRATE OR A HIGH COURT JUDGE BEFORE THE WARRANT IS STAMPED AND SIGNED BY THE TWO ABOVE MENTION LAY PERSON THE POLICE TAKE AN OATH BEFORE EITHER ONE THAT THE INFORMATION PRESENTED TO BEFORE THEM IS TRUE STOP BLAMING TANIA SHE IS ONLY DOING HER JOB AS THE LAW STATES.
    • Madussa (26/04/2024, 08:26) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      Don't worry. They will do the same to her when the time comes, but she won't have anyone on her side because she betrayed very respected Mr. Smith. How would she like it if they invaded her home going through all of her private things? She is now hanging with dogs who will chew her up soon. They always get one of us weak-minded to backstab our own. JUDAS!
  • jack (25/04/2024, 15:26) Like (7) Dislike (20) Reply
    Free the drew
  • Hmmmmm (25/04/2024, 15:38) Like (17) Dislike (1) Reply
    By time the dust settles, he will be sitting pretty money wise.
  • Well (25/04/2024, 15:43) Like (5) Dislike (7) Reply
    BOI THIS HAS GIVEN YOU ANOTHER EXCUSE TO GET ENERGIZED AND FLEX OFF YOURSELF ( IF HE WAS
    WRONGFULLY CHARGED THE
    LAW IS SUPPOSED APPOLOGISE AND COMPENSATE THE GUY , BUT YOU SEEMS TO BE OVERJOYED AND WANT TO CREATE YOUR USUAL RANTING AND RAVING WITH YOUR DRAMA QUEEN MENTALITY / ALL THE KILLINGS , GUNS , DRUGS AND CORRUPTION THATS IS BECOMING THE NORM HER NOW , HOW COME YOU DON'T CONDEM AND HOLLER OUT ON THE LACK OF OUR POLITICIANS VOICES ON THE SERIOUS CRIMES ? ( BUT YOU HAVE BEEN HOLLERING OUT
    DAY& NIGHT TO HAVE YOUR PATHNER IN MIAMI , FREED , ( AKA ) * FREE THE DREW * / SAME THING GOES , IF HE WAS WRONGFULLY CHARGED THEN THE LAW HAS TO APOLOGIZE AND COMPENSATE BIG DADDY , NOT YOU , YOU ACTING LIKE A PIT BULL , YOU NJUST LOVE YO HEAR YOURSELF , - REAL SUBTERFUGE
  • @SMH (25/04/2024, 15:50) Like (0) Dislike (8) Reply
    WE ALREADY KNOW U WON'T LOOK AT HER , AND WE ARE PRETTY SURE SHE WON'T NOTICE AND WOULD BE VERY HAPPY THAT U WON'T
  • Rhythm up. (25/04/2024, 15:54) Like (19) Dislike (6) Reply
    This wade Saga is far from over. Right now convicted XP is spilling his guts to get a light sentence..A lot more surprises in store...Son't forget Civil servant #1. They may have lot more on thia man than we think..
  • Concerned Resident (25/04/2024, 16:01) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Magistrate Richards lets the position turn into pompous,elitist, etc. jerk. Some people can’t handle success. It is like she is getting too big for for d….s. But what goes comes down, what goes around comes around. It is one thing to be tough on crime but yet another thing to be fair, reasonable, follow the law, letting those who appear before her get due process, etc. Johannis was such a personable guy.
  • 2024 (25/04/2024, 16:06) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
    the other guy under the same conditions but homeboy still on the Job….wat ah ting

  • last laugh (25/04/2024, 16:12) Like (0) Dislike (6) Reply
    Wait till they have to pay for what they pulled on that American Brian Fox living in the BVI. Justice will be so sweet
    and the British Virgin Islands will be glowing green. You play, you pay.
  • Shameful (25/04/2024, 16:40) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Dem people good Mehson them paint a public official number 1 to turn the public against him then try to set him up and we all fell for it. He must have a praying mother. Myron up to bat, and he going mash Dem up too. Lawwwdd Dem going broke we and go back laughing. Dem win one way or another..damn you England!
  • Si Mon Pow Err (25/04/2024, 17:07) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    There is nothing sweeter then beating the law and getting all that back pay!
  • Jessica (25/04/2024, 17:16) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    were is all the contraband intercepted by police also what about the many unsolved incidents
  • rattie (25/04/2024, 18:10) Like (8) Dislike (6) Reply
    Both Collins and Rsnking need to be in jail
  • SOME PEOPLE (25/04/2024, 18:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    SEEMS TO KNOW HOW AND WHEN TO LAUGH ( @LAST LAUGH & @ 2024 ) S
    USUNG DIFFERENT NAMES TO DISGUISE YOUR VINDICTIVE
    MESSAGE SEEMS TO BE THE ONLY WAY FOR YOU TO
    RECHARGE YOUR OVERGROWN EGO
  • way to go (26/04/2024, 07:32) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    This is wild. And people really trust the system/government. It's obvious what's going on here. 85% of the people are sleeping, 10% know what's going on and 5% try to reveal the truth and are labeled problematic and painted in a negative light. AF was clearly set up, his demise was it was with the US. Stay Woke!!
  • jack@$$ (26/04/2024, 10:49) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Divide and conquer. Use gossip and melee to find out who is vulnerable then use the system to tarnish their reputations b/c all we need are accusations and we will talk all manner of things and connect imaginary dots to rationalize it. Then 80% of the work is done. Wade will always be considered Gov official 1 without proof, will always have a cloud over his political ambitions, and will be bad talked by his rivals, especially those who whisper to the UK.
    I think there are grey areas where people can judge ppl if we don't have all the details; the NSC must have some info of things we don't know BUT obviously they couldn't prove anything so what they did to this man was and is wrong. This is UK manipulation, imo, and it's being exposed just as the Governor was exposed for setting up Andrew Fahie, who wasn't smart enough to avoid the set up, due to a character flaw, imo.
  • BVI love (26/04/2024, 10:50) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    Wade needs to return to customs forthwith
  • YOUR MAMA (26/04/2024, 13:47) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    @BVI LOVE , U PLAYING JUDGE , JURY & EXECUTIONER , SO WHO'S HOLDING YOU BACK , ORGANIZE A PROTEST AND HOLD HIS HAND AND RETURN HIM , INSTEAD OF YAPPING YAPPING & YAPPING


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