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‘We must urgently increase security’ @ airport in Anegada- Gov Rankin

Governor John J. Rankin, CMG (left) visited Anegada on Friday, September 22, 2023, when he also inspected the wreckage of the plane that was destroyed by fire following an unauthorised landing in the early hours of Wednesday, September 20, 2023. Photo: GIS
The Governor was accompanied to Anegada by Deputy Commissioner of Police St Clair Amory and members of the BVI Airports Authority (BVIAA). Photo: GIS
The Governor was accompanied to Anegada by Deputy Commissioner of Police St Clair Amory and members of the BVI Airports Authority (BVIAA). Photo: GIS
THE SETTLEMENT, Anegada, VI- Governor John J. Rankin, CMG has called for an urgent increase of security at the Auguste George Airport on Anegada.

This follows his visit to the airport on Friday, September 22, 2023, when he also inspected the wreckage of the plane that was destroyed by fire following an unauthorised landing in the early hours of Wednesday, September 20, 2023.

According to a press release from Government Information Service (GIS) on September 22, 2023, after the landing, a quantity of illicit drugs was recovered.

‘’Scale of the problem is deeply worrying’- Rankin

“We must urgently increase security at the airport to tackle its misuse for the illegal transportation of drugs. I will work together with the National Security Council, the RVIPF and the Airports Authority to achieve this,” Governor Rankin said.

He continued: “Whilst the growing number of seizures of drugs and guns is encouraging, the scale of the problem is deeply worrying. The security of the Virgin Islands is my top priority.”

The Governor was accompanied to Anegada by Deputy Commissioner of Police St Clair Amory and members of the BVI Airports Authority (BVIAA).

The unauthorised plane landing on Anegada Wednesday last followed a similar incident on August 19, 2023, when large amounts of cocaine were discovered on an aircraft that was grounded at Auguste George Airport.

51 Responses to “‘We must urgently increase security’ @ airport in Anegada- Gov Rankin”

  • He is only (24/09/2023, 07:00) Like (8) Dislike (72) Reply
    Ranking just looking more work for his uk nationals this is slavery and exploitation 101
    • Remote Control Plane (24/09/2023, 07:46) Like (10) Dislike (5) Reply
      Oversized drone. Seems like it crash landed, someone was stationed to remove the drugs, burn it and extinguish the fire.
    • @He is only (24/09/2023, 08:00) Like (45) Dislike (5) Reply
      How could you sleep at night or walk around during the day knowing that you are this stupid? You sure sound like someone who would prefer to live in a lawless state which would benefit you.
    • To: He is only (24/09/2023, 15:44) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
      Let us come together to fight crime & keep our beloved BVI safe & productive. Don't mind who dislike your post it does have validity. They keep bringing in UK officers and paying them significantly more money and higher positions than the hard working intelligent Caribbean & local police officers sometimes in the same position level. They segregate the force where only the UK officers are involved in all aspects of policing and the locals & Caribbean Officers are given boundaries they dare not cross. So the Governor and his Commissioner is trying to resolve these issues which is good but until they adjust their actions then the force will never maximize its great potential that it has.
  • Too much talk.. (24/09/2023, 07:16) Like (24) Dislike (3) Reply
    This Governor ain tired talking and no one listening... Then again.. What all these police we have now doing? I remembered when we had less than 100 officers, we had detectives, streets were well patrolled, all out stations were well manned including Anegada. What we need is a change in the Police Management.. Try something new, something different. With over 2 hundred police our Streets, Ports, Off Island Stations should be well manned..
    • @Too much talk.. (24/09/2023, 09:53) Like (24) Dislike (0) Reply
      Well said...if we have so much more police than ever before and we do not see them patrolling Tortola then imagine how much less if at all they are patrolling Anegada. The Commissioner needs to organize his staffing better.
      • To: @Too much talk.. (24/09/2023, 15:29) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
        To add to your post, when the public complained to the same Commissioner of Police and the Governor of the out post police stations on all islands are all mostly closed daily they basically called the public liars and mischiefmakers. All these things need rectifying. How do the Commissioner expect the public to help if when they come forward with things like these they are bat down.
  • 2023 (24/09/2023, 07:52) Like (17) Dislike (5) Reply
    someone needs to sit with His Excellency over a glass of cane-rum and remind him that the security of the Overseas Territory Borders is His Responsibility

    The Commissioners of police produced a Video upstaging our territory however the commissioner is responsible for the enforcement of Laws in the territory

    • Real (24/09/2023, 10:03) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
      Smoke and mirrors when the truth finally make it way out youll be surprised
  • Rubber Duck (24/09/2023, 09:19) Like (3) Dislike (5) Reply
    We the people of the bvi do not trust the governor or police commissioner they are vindictive and small minded
    • Marlo (25/09/2023, 06:35) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Yes they are.
    • fernando (26/09/2023, 13:09) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply

      Well, at least you don't have a complete %@&^% UP for a President like Biden! And for any of you reading this that voted for Biden.... &^%$@@ U!!

      • usa (29/09/2023, 12:07) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        Trump's up on 90 felony counts, there's no way he's going to beat them all!!
        Just arrest him for tax evasion like they did Al Capone, then he can die in prison~
  • cnn (24/09/2023, 09:21) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Please people do not want you all to underestimate some of the sensitive security issues around this matter.
  • Xxx (24/09/2023, 09:31) Like (12) Dislike (4) Reply
    This is nothing more than political spin to make the blacks believe the wonderful job the governor and police chief are doing for us. It's a Big Fat Lie!
    • @xxx (24/09/2023, 12:34) Like (12) Dislike (3) Reply
      what is happening to the non-blacks involved with the same drug movement and money laundering in the territory

      a non black shows up, he or she can build a massive property in the hillside and no questions will be ask

    • @Xxx from a UK resident (24/09/2023, 15:37) Like (19) Dislike (2) Reply
      You called it right. This is what they do here in the UK to keep we the suffering people here in the UK quiet. Give an impression using public relations to try to portray they are working hard for us when in fact what they are doing, if anything, only makes life worse. BVI people do not let them fool you. Check our news in the UK and you will better understand what I am posting.
  • Youth (24/09/2023, 09:39) Like (8) Dislike (4) Reply
    I said it before and I will say it again that everything under the Governor's responsibility is a failure but the COI he called conveniently turned their face to this and exempted him from his own COI report which he claims was independent.
  • People (24/09/2023, 09:43) Like (11) Dislike (6) Reply
    The position of Governor needs to be an elected post in the 21st century as right now he is not accountable to the people in BVI, only to his bosses millions of miles in the UK who does not have our best interest at heart and will never have our best interest at heart.
  • facts (24/09/2023, 09:49) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    Security is the sole responsibility of the Governor which means the police is his responsibility. The issue is not more money & Security as the Governor is claiming. It is poor management and strategy with the resources they have now. This UK Commissioner of Police has more resources & police officers than any other Police Commissioner in the history of the BVI. The issue is poor management and lack of focus hence lack of proper strategy. They all are more concern on how to try to take over rather than how protect and serve.
  • I wonder (24/09/2023, 09:54) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    Is this incident part of the drug ring or intentional by the government/police? Is this a reason to bring more UK police to the BVI and utilize our resources? These days you cannot tell the difference between the lying secretive officials and the lawless drug ring.
    • @I wonder (24/09/2023, 17:09) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      I agree, was telling someone the other day when the authorities become too secretive they become unaccountable to the public, become corrupt, and start doing all kinds of nastiness while on a power trip.

      The US is famous for conspiracies committed by their government that turn out to be true 100% fact only to be declassified & public knowledge years after they've abused the very same public they claim to be undercover to protect.
  • resident (24/09/2023, 09:55) Like (10) Dislike (7) Reply
    Regardless to how some people feel the evidence is clear. No matter who you put there they are going to be bought. This territory is doomed. The number of people who have been bought and continue to be bought is alarming. Immigration, customs, police, port, govt officials, residents. It doesn't matter. The drugs will continue to come in.
    • @resident (24/09/2023, 15:33) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      I do not condone crime nor corruption but please name for us where in the world what you speak of does not exist...I am waiting. Does the BVI make the drugs? Does the BVI ship the drugs? Please check to see if these same issues exists in other places in the Caribbean, UK, USA, Europe, and others? If they are not doomed then the BVI is not doomed.
  • Kermit the Frog (24/09/2023, 09:56) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    At least they found one plane so we now may have hope they soon might start to look for & find the $8million or de plane. SMDH. Ah gone back to sipping my tea.
  • Blind Man (24/09/2023, 09:59) Like (12) Dislike (2) Reply
    This thing going on quite awhile now it's not the first time this drone landing there this time it hit the run way to hard. The fireman is dirty and on the payroll it's a ring .
  • STOP PLAYING WITH GOD!!!!! (24/09/2023, 10:02) Like (34) Dislike (1) Reply
    All these murders and those who partake in it whether by being the chauffeur/sailor, being in the boat/vehicle when it happens, being aware of the hits /murders being planned then crying down the place when criminals get murdered, face vex like how could this happen then singing songs like it is well with my soul and there’s a place up there for people like you then to top it off the pastors who should know better preaching like they were such a good person STOP IT!!!!!! Preach to attempt to encourage REPENTANCE!!!

    Stop lying to yourselves and thinking God is your yo-yo, puppet or fool!!!!!

    On top of that parading through town/sea with the coffin to prove WHAT?!!??!!! The body is just a shell.

    All that SHOW AND TELL INSTEAD OF SHOWING GOD YOU CHOOSE TO OBEY HIM AND QUIT BEING ON THE DEVIL’S PAYROLL.

    Former police officers now working with a funeral home that is repeatedly being purported to be linked to dirty deeds. Watch these people and those on the Police Force to make sure tipping off is not happening to carry out dirty deeds.

    THEN YOU GOT FUNERAL HOMES TALKING ABOUT AM I MY BROTHER’S KEEPER TAKING GOD’S WORD AND NAME IN VAIN.

    STOP TAKE GOD FOR A JOKE!!!!!
  • can you imagine? (24/09/2023, 10:03) Like (18) Dislike (4) Reply
    I am 100% supporting our government in fighting crime and stay ahead. However I must ask all if you can only imagine what the reaction would be by the Governor and some of you if a local or Caribbean person was now the Commissioner of Police with these latest incidents? Would they have the support of the Governor like he is doing with his UK Commissioner? Like it or not the answer would be no. This Commissioner needs reviewing. He needs to stick to his job and be truthful and focused on crime and not just trying to assist the Governor in his ill conceived intent for the country. We cannot blame him for the crimes but we can blame him for lack of strategy and utilizing what he has effectively.
  • Hmm (24/09/2023, 10:04) Like (10) Dislike (7) Reply
    Can't blame Coach for this. The governor needs to be investigated.
  • Let's face it (24/09/2023, 10:08) Like (25) Dislike (1) Reply
    All the Governor and Commissioner of police wants is an ocean of money and the new police act pass and then they claim they can fight crime better but this is not they real motive because they have enough at their disposal already. The new police act has many sections in it which violates people's rights with no recourse and no accountability measures put in place to avoid abuse of power. This is dangerous and not necessary. Maybe be it is time to try a new Commissioner of Police who comes to do their job and not an agenda.
  • PT09 (24/09/2023, 10:11) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    @He is only; if you only knew how STUPID you sound you won’t be Blogging.
  • In reality (24/09/2023, 10:28) Like (5) Dislike (8) Reply
    In reality the COI was called and handled high handedly to cover up the many failures of the Governor so they can remove off of them the embarrassment of many years of neglect of duty in the BVI and other OTs. It is as simple as that.
  • enough (24/09/2023, 10:33) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Every minute this Commissioner of Police bragging how much funding he received which allows all these new recruits yearly. Well put 10 VG, 10 Anegada, 10 JVD, and the rest on Tortola and serving the other smaller islands. He needs to use what he has more efficiently and effectively or else no matter how much he gets it will never be enough. Someone needs to do a course of strategic planning of resources with the Commissioner for the Territory's security because he only has it down pack for the ongoing takeover attempt.
  • Asking too much (24/09/2023, 10:54) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Personally I think we are asking too much of a Governor. First they are not elected hence feel no pressure to listen to the people. There is also a huge cultural difference which causes discord with them & the population with his version of solutions. The Constitution puts him solely in charge of security but he has no expertise in it. He answers to the UK and not the people. Recommendations from him & his advisors looks and sounds good on paper but usually are not effective and functional in the best interest of the people on the ground. They can legally investigate & look into anyone but no one can look into them. They hold everyone accountable but no one can hold them accountable. The laws of the land are enforced on everyone but they are exempted. The elected officials have to be seen at funerals, weddings, sports events, schools, and all over. The Governor only have to spy on the elected officials, public officers & other prominent citizens to see what dirt he can find on them so he can use it to propel their UK mission so caring for rhe people in all respects is not an obligation of theirs. The Governor can never understand the struggles of the people as tax payers pay for his house, office, local staff, car, gas, driver, security, chef, butler, domestic helpers, gardener, and the works. While the public officers, elected officials and common man do not have such luxurious benefits and the people are catching hell. They have not to this date in the 21st century appointed a black Governor & shamefully I add they just lately appointed just a few women as Governor. So they obviously still have an emdeded gender & race issue in their DNA. So while we the people speaking Chinese, they are speaking Japanese. The disconnect is real. The gap will never close. These are only some of the reasons why I think we are expecting too much from a Governor. WE ARE ASKING TOO MUCH!
  • Why Not? (24/09/2023, 11:05) Like (23) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why not call back some of our Stallworth retired police officer and utilize them for this period? Why not form a panel of former Commissioner of Police to get real solid experience and advice? Why not create a district by district community crime prevention & public safety think tank committee? Why not start to recruit officers from early from the schools & do an ongoing good citizen initiative at schools? Why not create a clear succession plan for the police force? Why not give the current officers better benefits? Why are we not doing these things? Money is good but money with wisdom is better.
  • United RVIPF (24/09/2023, 11:16) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    It seems to be a violation to some whenever the Governor or any UK official working in the BVI comes under scrutiny but it seems ok to do so for public officers and elected officials. All must be held to the same standards. We have an awesome police force but the elephant in the room which most are afraid to mention and touch is the division in the force. It is often being rumored there are two forces, one for locals & Caribbean people and the other for UK people. Until this elephant in the room is addressed we will continue to wrongfully blame the RVIPF. The issue is the same Governor and the UK Commissioner continues to be in denial about this factor probably because they created it by design but now it is back firing. Unite the force & we will resolve most of our concerns about policing & unite the BVI.
  • on another note (24/09/2023, 11:22) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Crime and the economy goes hand in hand. Wherever there is a serious rise in crime there is also also a diminishing economy. This is not condoning crime but stating the facts. Our economy needs a major overhaul and jump start. This is also key in helping to reduce crime. Some of the government's new policies and some of the Governor's 48 recommendations are not in the best interest of the people nor the economy. They seem good on paper but some of them are stifling the economy. Respectfully I ask to review these and make the necessary adjustments without compromising accountability and integrity.
  • Think smarter (24/09/2023, 12:04) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Have a staffed 24h command and dispatch center. Use remote monitoring for the Anegada airport. Hell, for all the airports. BVI problems are so simple just no one able to execute anything mildly complex.
  • boi (24/09/2023, 12:39) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    DON'T YOU GET TIRED BLOGGING THE SAME SHI*T ABOUT THE UK , THE GOVERNOR AND YHE COMMISSIONER WITH YOUR RACIAL MOTIVATED DRAMA , YOU GOT BE INVOLVED I THOSE GUNS , DRUGS , MURDER , CORRUPTION , AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN SOME FORM OR THE OTHER , ( YOU ARE
    BEGINING SOUND LIKE THE MOUTH PIECE , EMPLOYED TO CREATE DISTRACTION / NOW ,THE TALK ON THE STREETS IS THOSE SPANIARD ARE SWALLOWING THOSE CAPSULS THAT IS FILLED WITH COCAINE AND BRINGING THEM IN THE COUNTRY , THE LUCIANS CAUGHT 2 PEOPLE RECENTLY , SO WE GOING TO HAVE STEP UP OUR GAME WITH BODY SCANING THESE SPANIARD AND OTHERS WHO GOING AND COMING OFTEN , AND HAVE A LOW PAYING JOB OR NONE AT ALL
    • @boi (24/09/2023, 15:24) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
      You seem to be doing what you area accusing others of doing. The history of the UK Officials and racism is well documented. In addition, most blogs I read have given some good solutions and criticism of the Governor and Commissioner of Police. In your post you try to disrespect the people of the BVI and wrongfully blame others and to you that is OK. But when your UK friends are put under the microscope you come on trying reverse psychology. The BVI is no worse than anywhere else. We will find the best solutions with or without people like you.
  • Really (24/09/2023, 12:58) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    They don't really want to stop the drug trade. Like it or not, it is an important part of the Anegada economy, as well as the BVI economy. They only respond when the US DEA is involved or something happens that calls attention that cannot be ignored. Otherwise, it's a blind eye.

    Planes landing in the middle of the night on Anegada are a common occurrence.

    When they came to Anegada last month to investigate the plane that landed in the middle of the night, it was only because the US DEA was already pursuing and contacted the BVI police. They could not ignore a call from the DEA. The DEA left, and with them out of the picture, nothing happened. Everyone that was arrested was released, and nothing happened since.

    They could not ignore it when the place crashed a couple of days ago, so they made an appearance for show. But has anything happened since?

    The pursuit of the boat loaded with drugs last month near Anguilla was only because the US DEA was involved.
  • dem (24/09/2023, 15:14) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    REACTIVE NOT PROACTIVE
  • Spike strips (25/09/2023, 06:31) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    on the runway from 5pm to 9am nightly. Manage the airstrip like a typical 9 to 5 job, daylight landing only. No need to waste money hiring the BVI's lacks security businesses.
  • qc (25/09/2023, 07:13) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Thanks vino for not shutting this comments site down.
  • YEAH RITE (25/09/2023, 08:21) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    LETS BLAME THE UK FOR EVERYTHING , THATS GOING TO TAKE AWAY THE FACTS THAT ARE STARING US IN OUR FACES EVERY DAY , SO KEEP ON WITH YOUR USUAL RACIAL LYRICS SOON WE WILL BE ALL USING COCAINE KILLING EACHOTHER AND ENJOYING OUR GUILTY CONSCIENCES WITH BULLETS FLYING UP , DOWN ' LEFT , RIGHT AND CENTER UNTILL ONE TOUCHES US OR SOMEONE ELSE , THEN WE CAN ALWAYS BLAME THE UK / YOU BETTER LOOK IN THE MIRROR , KARMA IS GOING TO CATCH UP WITH ALL WHO THINKS THAT THEY ARE UNTOUCHABLE

    ( A WORD OF CAUTION ) YOUR SO CALLED FRIENDS CAN SLIP SOMETHING ON YOU AND YOU WON'T KNOW UNTILL YOU ARE HOOKED , A LOT WHO GOT HOOKED ON COCAINE AND OTHER SIMILAR DRUG DIDN'T INTENTIONALLY TAKE IT SO ITS UP TO YOU TO OBSERVE THOSE WHO YOU TRUST FOR YOURSELF , DON'T SAY YOU WEREN'T WARNED / UNLESS YOU WANT TO JOIN THE BLAME GAME LIKE BLONDIE / THE BRITS HAS THEIR HANDS FULL JUST LIKE THE REST OF THE WORLD / BUT WE GOT TO LOOK OUT FOR OURSELVES AND CLEAN UP OUR OWN BACKYARD THAT WE OURSELVES HAVE
    DIRTIED , IF WE LOVE OURSELVES AND OUR COUNTRY , WE GOT TO DO THE RIGHT THING
  • BVIslander (25/09/2023, 12:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Of all the comments posted, no one has inquired of the pilot or how was the craft operated. The plane could not have landed on it's own. Rather than to criticize and to make assumptions, this should be the first question to ask or investigation to make.
  • Native son (26/09/2023, 07:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    So much incompetence in one photo.
  • Hillary Clinton (26/09/2023, 13:11) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    What a mess........ Biden messes in his pants quite a bit too..... one time recently I saw a turd fall out of his pant leg. If I wasn't already a lesbian, Biden would make me one!


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