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16 fights parted; cocaine & marijuana seized @ Festival Village- RVIPF

According to Superintendent of Operations Dariel Robinson, officers intervened and parted 16 fights, confiscated both marijuana and cocaine and a knife during events at Irene Penn-O’Neal Festiville last night, August 2, 2023. Photo: Virgin Islands Festival/Facebook.
All patrons will be screened for drugs and weapons while entering Irene Penn-O'Neal Festiville, the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has said. Photo: Virgin Islands Festival/Facebook
All patrons will be screened for drugs and weapons while entering Irene Penn-O'Neal Festiville, the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has said. Photo: Virgin Islands Festival/Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI– The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) is issuing a strong warning to persons who intend to engage in any form of violence or intend to use any form of illegal drugs while on the Festival Grounds.

According to the RVIPF in a press release today, August 3, 2023, “Actions will be swift and decisive.”

According to Superintendent of Operations Dariel Robinson, officers intervened and parted 16 fights, confiscated both marijuana and cocaine and a knife during last night’s events at Irene Penn-O’Neal Festiville.

All patrons will be screened

“We are not tolerating lawlessness at any level during the festival celebrations, particularly in the Festival Village. Please be warned that such actions will result in swift and decisive responses by officers on site. Anyone who displays conduct that is deemed disorderly, hostile or aggressive will be escorted off the grounds and possibly arrested.

“Gate security will ensure that persons do not bring weapons or contraband on the grounds. Attendees are expected to cooperate with security officers in the screening process in order to enter. Should you not wish to be screened, you will not be allowed to enter the festival grounds. The safety of all those in attendance is paramount,” Robinson noted.

Persons are encouraged to report any suspicious activity or pre-planned assaults to the officers on the ground or to RVIPF Intelligence Unit at 368-9339 or anonymously through the Crimestoppers hotline number 8008477. 

34 Responses to “16 fights parted; cocaine & marijuana seized @ Festival Village- RVIPF”

  • .... (03/08/2023, 17:08) Like (7) Dislike (12) Reply
    16 with all them robo cops in deh
    • The Devil’s Playground (04/08/2023, 15:04) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
      You got people saying they can’t stop what God plan when God has NOTHING to do with the vulgarity that takes place at these events including the artists that sing worthlessness.

      Try stop putting God’s name in the devil’s handiwork.
  • wise man (03/08/2023, 17:19) Like (40) Dislike (1) Reply
    Yep! They don't listen, it's pure school children.
  • gross (03/08/2023, 17:50) Like (47) Dislike (2) Reply
    Not payin 40 cash to be in there with hot cokeheads. Leave ya coke at the crib this festival season please.
  • Oh boy. (03/08/2023, 18:02) Like (70) Dislike (1) Reply
    Can't we go out and enjoy ourselves without problems..
  • Whose surprise ? Not me!! (03/08/2023, 18:30) Like (48) Dislike (7) Reply
    If anyone surprised of the items found you’ll is a joke! 99.9% of the artist are bloody. The music just a façade. Listen to their music, watch their videos and lifestyle. We in the BVI like to play blind eye due to certain people on the Book. Last night was to encourage drugs, illegal activities and unlawful acts. Friday night will have a different vibe Reggae night. Different energy and different mindsets. The Government, Festival committee was Wong to have a show that’s just based on negative lifestyle. The fungi and calypso would have been better and more positive.
    • @ Whose surprised? Not me (03/08/2023, 22:08) Like (31) Dislike (6) Reply
      Sorry to say but you sound weak. No song or person should be held accountable for people acting a fool. Wicked behavior has ALWAYS been apart of human civilization. The only difference is our parents were praying people and they made sure WE prayed and did the right thing. People held each other accountable. People used to get put out of Jam and Jouvert when they did not behave by the patrons of the event! Nobody used to wait on police. Now today people don’t want to hear the truth about themselves, they act a fool and spoil the festivities for everybody. We have a society where nobody cares, everybody for self.
  • jack (03/08/2023, 19:01) Like (8) Dislike (13) Reply
    Free the weed
    • Jill (04/08/2023, 10:37) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
      @jack
      And use it in private/ home, so that when it goes to your head, it affects you and you alone.
  • Ooh (03/08/2023, 19:31) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    I must say that the security and Red Cross were very heavy in the village these past night. Glad that the festival and fair team is taking the safety and health of everyone seriously. Kudos!
  • NezRez (03/08/2023, 19:32) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    I said to myself to stay home because I know these hotheads are causing more trouble these days, and here we go. Some disgusting people cannot even let fun and enjoyment happen without them acting like morons, and spoiling it for everyone. SMDH!
    • Ima mind my business (04/08/2023, 09:49) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      A handful of ghetto school children is spoiling a thing for a soul, but themselves. All you have to do is go to the festivities and have fun, and don't watch people. Simple way to solve the issue. Ban them mds from the village.
  • No wonder (03/08/2023, 19:38) Like (37) Dislike (0) Reply
    was there on Tuesday night and the amount of weed scents invading my nostrils and the vulgar music coming from rides with small children on them, well, I was astonished. You all not serious. When children act up blame yourselves, they cannot even go to a festival village and go on rides without hearing curse words in music and inhaling drugs from the adults too shameless to give a hoot, i REST MY CASE.
  • simple (03/08/2023, 19:44) Like (24) Dislike (0) Reply
    lock them all up until festival is over , it really is that simple.
  • Cocaine (03/08/2023, 20:09) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Really?
  • Culture (03/08/2023, 21:17) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Keep it classy BVI
  • What!!’ (03/08/2023, 21:19) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    Well I guess that gate security was not doing a very good job if there was a knife and drugs found on persond inside the village.
    • Lucifer morningstar (04/08/2023, 08:14) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply

      People putting them things in their arse crack an in between the girl k**t can't search every part.

  • Yep (03/08/2023, 21:21) Like (17) Dislike (1) Reply
    They should have a Steelpan, Fungi and Calypso night.
  • Really? (03/08/2023, 21:49) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    How do they expect the high school children to be any better?? Grown people can’t go out and behave? Festival is a FAMILY event, you want to smoke weed, burn crack and fight STAY your behind home! We just got the festival back after so much strive, and some people want to marr it. This place is getting so hard to live your life in. The only thing left is to work, and go home. #sickening!!
  • imagine (03/08/2023, 22:10) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    As a community, we as patrons. Especially parents need to come out from time to time and support the night life. Imagine a group
    enjoying a stroll in the evening, many of the younger generation will not do the sh×× they are doing due to respect for their elders nor being a noissence infront of family members.
    ...It takes a community to raise a child.
    Btw, parents who condone ignorance could be fined for their childrens actions.
  • Callwood (04/08/2023, 00:26) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    It cheaper them had go dance on a girl … them gone fight to get hold with weed …
  • Me (04/08/2023, 00:35) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Gaza music don’t attract me In fact if the music ain’t from the 80/90s into early 2000s it’s not music
    I cannot listen to that crap
    It breaks my heart to what my kids would have to
    Listen too
    This is not music
    Oh and pop up artiste popping all
    Over calling themselves artiste

    Anyone would’ve known last night was only Zessers coming to Zest
    U telling me they couldn’t bring Luciano to send positive messages/vibes

    Maybe even a rapper mix the thing up a bit
    Another good one could’ve been Wizkid
    Or Mr calm Down (Rema)
  • Curious (04/08/2023, 04:32) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    Are they screaming the vehicles with passes? I am concerned with the contents of this article.
  • Streups (04/08/2023, 05:52) Like (7) Dislike (4) Reply
    Meanwhile I here fighting the good fight for everyday water, electricity, etc. WHEN IS WATER RETURNING BACK ON IN SEA COW'S BAY? Is this what is going to be happening during the entire festival? Or maybe it's me who have my priorities mixed up; TORTOLA is not a real place...Nope!
  • Hmm (04/08/2023, 06:55) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Just for a few hours they cannot leave their weed and powder home. What are they going in the crowd using them? Aren't the security check point supposed to detect any weapons??
  • when reality sets in (04/08/2023, 08:04) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    you hypocrites acting like you all surprised /
    well it had to happen sooner or later ( welcome to the side effects ) so keep on hiding the known killers / drug dealers / guns importers and corruption etc , and expect it not to be a problem , well i got news corruption you you holy set of hypocrites , its only going to get worse , so be thankful that
    those wannabe gansters & gunderleroes ain't start flexing off yet ( hopefully not Amen
    • Majestic Life Watch (05/08/2023, 18:10) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Tick Tick Simon Tick Tock

      Who did you purchase the last package from?
  • MustBe (04/08/2023, 09:51) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Wild animals at play.
  • simple (04/08/2023, 10:40) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    No under 18 should be allowed in the village unless it's a children's night out, sniffer dogs at the entrances for illegal items.all the fights are under age children
    • @simple (04/08/2023, 19:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      In trini u has show ID all fetes are 18 and older
      There’s kiddies carnival and kiddies fest
      When I go to a fete there’s no kids
  • Just saying (04/08/2023, 12:29) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Can't we all just get along.
  • Hmm (05/08/2023, 09:44) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Please be careful in there too cause Covid is still around. With that crowd I hope we dont have an outbreak again.


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