Drug trade a thorn in VI’s side – Morris
Morris was one of many presenters at the June 8, 2012 conference that touched on the burning issue of crime that has been plaguing the Virgin Islands (VI).
“We know we have corrupt local officials, poor border controls because of the size of the territory; we have money laundering. We know we have links through South America, Columbia and the US, and with that trade comes money, comes wealth and that is what we are facing in the society at the present time,” he told the audience.
Over the past two years, law enforcement officers in collaboration with overseas assistance have been able to arrest a number of individuals including alleged drug traffickers and Government workers who are alleged to be part of a 13 year drug operation that spanned over two continents. In fact, five men are currently fighting extradition to the United States of America (USA).
Furthermore, the acting COP also highlighted the categories crimes fall into: acquisitive which covers theft, burglary and robbery; serious crime that covers murder and rape and quality of life crime that deals with noise, litter and scooters.
However, despite the challenges the force faces “people from the Caribbean still come to the BVI to live because they feel that the BVI is still a safe place to live and raise families.”
8 Responses to “Drug trade a thorn in VI’s side – Morris”