Caribbean nationals detained in major coke seizure
TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands (CMC) — Six Caribbean nationals are due to appear in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) court after being charged in connection with the seizure of more than 700 kilogrammes of cocaine.
The police said that Candido Rios Quezada, a national of St Kitts and Nevis; 21-year-old Francisco Mejia Ortiz, 39-year-old Joel Santana Santos, and 40-year-old Jermife Toribio Vasquez, 30-year-old Cesar Diaz Abrahim, and 49-year-old Ronald James of the Dominican Republic and Trinidad and Tobago, have been charged with the importation of a controlled drug and four counts of possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply.
The authorities said they seized 772.4 kilograms of cocaine and that the arrests came after intelligence pointed to suspicious maritime activity within BVI waters, prompting a swift joint response from customs, the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF), United States Customs and Border Protection, and the Joint Regional Command Centre of the Caricom region.
The intercepted vessel was believed to be involved in illicit trafficking. The drugs were recovered and the suspects detained without incident.
In March 2024, authorities intercepted approximately 1,800 kilograms of cocaine near Hodges Creek in Tortola, marking the largest sea seizure in the territory’s history at that time and in June 2025, a multi-agency maritime operation off the coast of Virgin Gorda resulted in the confiscation of around 1,440 kilograms of cocaine.
Acting Commissioner of Police Richard Ullger, in praising the joint operation, described the seizure as a major setback for organised criminal networks operating in the region.
“This seizure is a clear demonstration of what can be achieved when law enforcement agencies work together with precision, intelligence and determination,” Ullger said.
“The removal of more than 770 kilograms of cocaine from circulation represents a major blow to organised crime. I commend every officer and partner agency involved for their professionalism and unwavering commitment to protecting the Virgin Islands.”
The police did not give a value for the drugs seized.
