Beautiful Virgin Islands

Monday, Apr 21, 2025

Accused cocaine traffickers denied bail! Faces up 10 years if convicted

Accused cocaine traffickers denied bail! Faces up 10 years if convicted

The two men accused of illegal possession with intent to supply more than 400 kilograms of cocaine were denied bail when they appeared before the Magistrate’s Court earlier today.

Pedro Samuel Sr, 58, of Diamond Estate and Reno Alphonso, 27, of Fort Hill were both charged with possession of a controlled drug and possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply.

Alphonso — the alleged boat captain — was also charged with failure to comply with orders given by the police.

In consideration of the bail application made by both attorneys representing the accused, Magistrate Christilyn Benjamin said she had to consider all variables in the matter. She noted that while both men were Virgin Islanders and had their roots in the territory, the severity of the offence and the likelihood of conviction with the accompanying sentence could result in the men absconding if granted bail.

“To give a bail offer and to make the consideration so strenuous that a defendant cannot make a bail offer is just as good as making no bail offer at all. So, taking all of my options into consideration. When I consider this particular case that has been presented before the court, I am of the opinion that there are no conditions that this court can put in place to amount to a reasonable bail offer for these defendants,” Benjamin said.

“Because, to my mind, the circumstances and allegations resented to the court are very compelling and I am of the view that there is a real risk that these defendants will abscond and the issue with absconding is that we never know when someone will abscond until they actual do. And as such, in my opinion, it is too late… Coupled with the concern for community protection, I cannot find any conditions to satisfy these concerns. So, it is on these circumstances bail is denied,” the Magistrate added.

Benjamin advised both Samuel Sr and Alphonso that they can take their bail application to the High Court if they so desire. Both defendants are jointly represented by Nelson Samuel and Stephen Daniels.

Allegations


The prosecution alleged that on August 13, 2022, both Samuel Sr and Alphonso were intercepted in the vicinity of Cooper Island and a subsequent search of their vessel resulted in the seizure of 419.46 kilos of brick-like substance suspected to be cocaine. The estimated street value is $41,946,000.

The court was informed that the Marine Unit of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) was on sea patrol on the southern side of Virgin Gorda when officers noticed a vessel travelling quickly in a westerly direction. The prosecution claimed the officers followed the vessel through the Ginger Island and Cooper Island channel where the vessel was observed to be a white speedboat and had two occupants.

The court was further informed that the officers gave chase. And when in close proximity to the vessel in question, the law enforcers illuminated their emergency light and gave an order for the vessel’s operators to stop. However, the court heard that Alphonso – who was reportedly observed to be the boat captain – and Samuel Sr, the first mate, tried to outrun the police. The chase continued until the vessel was intercepted.

The prosecution alleged that the two accused told officers they had just returned from fishing, and they had nothing illegal in the boat. The police indicated they would conduct a search and 14 canvas bags containing brick-like substances suspected to be cocaine were allegedly found at the bow of the vessel. A further search of the stern reportedly revealed another package of the same substance. Both defendants were cautioned and arrested.

Possible sentence


According to the prosecution, the offences for which they are charged carry maximum financial penalty of $100,000 or three times the amount of the street value of the drugs – whichever is greater. Additionally, the men may face a prison sentence of no more than 10 years but no less than three years. In some instances, the law allows for both a fine and a prison sentence.

The prosecution also indicated that while Samuel Sr has no prior run-ins with the law, Alphonso was charged with illegal possession of a controlled substance in 2019 to which he pleaded guilty. He was fined $4,500.

Both defendants will return to court on October 12.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Prince Andrew Joins Royal Family Attends Easter Sunday Service at Windsor Castle
Saudi Arabia Offers Max Verstappen Unprecedented Deal to Join Aston Martin
Global Pistachio Shortage Amid Rising Demand for 'Dubai Chocolate'
Trump is assembling a coalition of Western leaders aligned with the MAGA vision, strengthening a unified front for global change
IMF Predicts No Global Recession Amid Trade Tensions
Here’s a police officer with a brilliant gift for swift education
"Some complain that we put thousands in prison. In reality, we set millions free."
This is Vienna, Austria in 2025.
Boeing Jet Returns to US from China Amid Tariff War
Canadian Federal Election: Candidates' Positions on US-Canada Relations and Donald Trump
Resentencing Hearing for Menendez Brothers Who Killed Their Parents Delayed Amid Legal Disputes
Australian Woman Gives Birth To Stranger's Baby In IVF Mix-up
US Sets Deadline for Russia-Ukraine Peace Deal Brokerage
Italy Introduces 'Sex Rooms' in Prisons for Inmates
California Launches Legal Challenge Against Trump Administration's Tariffs
"Groundless": China Dismisses Zelensky's Claims It's Supplying Arms To Russia
UK Psytrance Festival Cancelled Amid Local Protests Over Noise Concerns
French Far-Right Writer Renaud Camus Denied Entry to UK
UK Police Force Updates Search Policy for Trans Individuals in Custody
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni Meets with Donald Trump to Discuss EU-US Trade Tensions
Canada's Federal Party Leaders Engage in Final Debate Ahead of General Election
Ukraine and US Sign Outline of Minerals Deal
Fast Food Chain Refuses to Apologize for Online Comment About Katy Perry's Space Voyage
New York Attorney General Letitia James Faces Criminal Referral for Alleged Mortgage Fraud
Mark Cuban admits support for Trump executive order: ‘Gotta be honest’
US Senator Meets with Deported Immigrant in El Salvador Amid Custody Dispute
U.S. State Department Raises El Salvador’s Safety Ranking, Making It Safer Than France and Other European Nations
UK Government Assumes Control of British Steel's Scunthorpe Plant Amid Shutdown Threat
UK MP Wera Hobhouse Denied Entry to Hong Kong During Family Visit
Bangladesh Issues Arrest Warrant for UK MP Tulip Siddiq
China Urges United States to Cancel Tariffs Amid Escalating Trade Tensions
The Empire’s USD Pyramid Scheme Is Working Brilliantly—So Why ‘Fix’ It?
China Raises Tariffs on U.S. Goods to 125% Amid Escalating Trade Dispute
Elon Musk Reports $150 Billion in Projected Government Savings Amid Fraud Investigations
U.S. and Panama Finalize Defense Agreements Amid Canal Access and Chinese Influence Concerns
China Stands Firm Amidst Trade Disputes with the US: A Factual Analysis
U.S. Tariff Escalation Sparks Global Trade Tensions
Helicopter crashes in NYC with four people on board.
Australia Dismisses China's Suggestion to Collaborate Against US Tariffs
EU Postpones Response to US Tariffs
The Trump Administration is contemplating removing Chinese companies from U.S. stock exchanges.
Violent Incidents and Public Safety Concerns Escalate in London and County Durham
UK MP Arrested on Suspicion of Rape and Child Sex Offences
UK Gears Up to Respond to US Tariffs with Industrial Strategies and Trade Initiatives
‘Rocky’ star Dolph Lundgren and his wife Emma Krokdal bask in the Miami sunshine following the actor’s lengthy health struggles.
Spain Encounters Countrywide Protests as Housing Crisis Intensifies
Alisha Lehmann's Modeling Campaign and Public Controversy Stir Debate Ahead of UEFA Women's Euro
U.S. Firms with Major International Revenue Exposure in Light of New Tariffs
President Trump Calls on the Federal Reserve to Reduce Interest Rates in Light of New Tariffs
President Trump Prolongs TikTok Sale Deadline by 75 Days
×