Attorney General Honourable Dawn J. Smith. The Virgin Islands Sanctions Unit to combat illicit financing is to fall under the leadership of the Attorney General following a 6-month transition period from the Governor’s Office. Photo: GIS/File

Ms Kisha Frett will be heading up the Sanctions Unit as Sanctions Coordinator. Photo: GIS/File

The establishment of a Sanctions Unit was first disclosed by Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade, Honourable Lorna G. Smith (AL) OBE, who announced on Friday, March 15, 2024, the successful completion of the first year of the UK-OT Illicit Finance Dialogue, which the Virgin Islands has co-chaired with the UK for the last twelve months.

“The Dialogue attendees have agreed that sanctions units will be established in the Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands and Turks and Caicos [Islands],” Hon Smith had stated.

The [British] Virgin Islands complies with all sanctions issued by the United Kingdom, which are extended by way of the relevant Overseas Territories Orders in Council.

Kisha Frett to headed Sanctions Unit

According to the Government Information Service (GIS) today, April 2, 2024, the Sanctions Unit will ensure the effective implementation and enforcement of these sanctions and work closely with partners across government and industry.

“The Sanctions Unit will sit under the leadership of the Attorney General with Ms Kisha Frett heading up the unit as Sanctions Coordinator,” GIS stated.

The press release also stated that there will be a six-month transition period from the Governor’s Office to the Sanctions Unit to allow for a smooth transition and relevant training. In the meantime, businesses are asked to direct all sanction queries and requests to Governor’s Office at: GOVOfficesanctions.tortola@fcdo.gov.uk.

Meanwhile, Governor Daniel Pruce said sanctions are a "vital tool in cutting off funding streams to the [Vladimir] Putin regime and stopping those close to the regime from benefitting from western services."