Roadtown, Tortola - Her Majesty’s (HM) Customs is continuing to intensify their surveillance of the Territory’s borders by enforcing the import and export regulations and facilitating legitimate trade laws.

Assistant Comptroller with responsibility for Enforcement Mr. Dean Fahie told the Department of Information and Public Relations that to date a total of 57 grams of herbal cannabis has been seized from persons entering at the West End and Road Town ports of entry.

He said some of the contraband was found on the persons and in groceries. “Several persons have been arrested and taken before the courts. The officers at the various ports are vigilant in their efforts, utilising their training in behavioural analysis,” Mr. Fahie added.

In addition, on March 15, customs officers at the West End Ferry Terminal detained a 27 year-old male from St. Croix, United States Virgin Islands (USVI) who arrived in the Territory aboard motor vessel Adventurer from Red Hook, St. Thomas, USVI.

Mr. Fahie explained that while the officer was conducting a search of the passenger’s baggage, he observed his behaviour and subsequently took him inside the office where a search of his person was done. “Officers found a quantity of undisclosed cash on his person and he was subsequently detained and handed over to the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force officers. Investigations into this matter are currently ongoing,” Mr. Fahie disclosed.

The ongoing surveillance by HM Customs is in keeping with Government’s prioritisation of law enforcement in accordance with Cap. 104 section 18A of the Customs Act, which speaks to customs control of persons entering or leaving the Territory. The department is charged with ensuring the public’s compliance of customs laws and part of its mission is to maximise the collection of revenue, enforce import and export regulations and facilitate legitimate trade.