Beautiful Virgin Islands

Wednesday, Aug 27, 2025

Colombian drug lord’s capture hoped to reduce trafficking to BVI

Colombian drug lord’s capture hoped to reduce trafficking to BVI

The Commissioner of Police said he hopes last weekend’s capture of Dairo Antonio Úsuga — reportedly the biggest drug lord in Colombia since Pablo Escobar — can stem the flow of cocaine through the BVI.

Commissioner Mark Collins acknowledged the capture as great news for the police’s war on drugs. However, he is weary someone may take over the Colombian drug cartel since it is a lucrative business.

“Any drug lord arrested or taken out would mitigate or lessen the opportunity to traffic drugs. But don’t forget, for every drug dealer taken out, there is a void. That void is filled pretty quickly with other people that want to take over the market,” Commissioner Collins said in an invited comment.

The Colombian military force had captured Úsuga, who is widely referred to as Otoniel, on Saturday. He is the alleged leader of Clan del Golfo — a violent Colombian drug cartel that has been targeted by the United States for trafficking cocaine.

Úsuga was described by Colombian President Iván Duque as the country’s most wanted man and said he is the most feared drug trafficker in the world. The Colombian president compared the magnitude of his capture to the death of the infamous drug lord, Pablo Escobar in the 1990s.

Colombian drug lord Dairo Antonio Úsuga David during his capture at the weekend.


BVI a transshipment point


Meanwhile, the British Virgin Islands has been found to be part of the network of transshipment points in the Caribbean for cocaine from Colombia. The territory has been reported as being a springboard into Europe because of its strong diplomatic ties with the United Kingdom.

Earlier this year, former Police Commissioner Michael Mathews said the police force was tracking the drug trade in the territory and noticed illicit drugs such as cocaine was coming from South America.

He also noted Colombia was producing significantly more cocaine than it had previously done. This, the former top cop said, influenced the supply of cocaine to the territory. He added the geographical location of the Virgin Islands makes it an attractive route for drug trafficking to the US and Europe.

The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) has been down on the drug trade in the territory in recent years. In November of last year, the RVIPF had its largest drug bust in the Virgin Islands’ history as approximately 2,300 kilograms of cocaine valuing nearly a quarter billion dollars was seized. A police officer was held in connection to the seizure.

Meanwhile, in recent days, the police force seized 188.04 kilograms of cocaine valuing nearly $19 million. A security guard who works for the government was arrested in connection to the matter.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
Manhunt in Australia: Armed Anti-Government Suspect Kills Police Officers Sent to Arrest Him
China Launches World’s Most Powerful Neutrino Detector
How Beijing-Linked Networks Shape Elections in New York City
Ukrainian Refugee Iryna Zarutska Fled War To US, Stabbed To Death
Elon Musk Sues Apple and OpenAI Over Alleged App Store Monopoly
2 Australian Police Shot Dead In Encounter In Rural Victoria State
Vietnam Evacuates Hundreds of Thousands as Typhoon Kajiki Strikes; China’s Sanya Shuts Down
UK Government Delays Decision on China’s Proposed London Embassy Amid Concerns Over Redacted Plans
A 150-Year Tradition to Be Abolished? Uproar Over the Popular Central Park Attraction
A new faith called Robotheism claims artificial intelligence isn’t just smart but actually God itself
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner Purchases Third Property Amid Housing Tax Reforms Debate
HSBC Switzerland Ends Relationships with Over 1,000 Clients from Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Qatar, and Egypt
Sharia Law Made Legally Binding in Austria Despite Warnings Over 'Incompatible' Values
Italian Facebook Group Sharing Intimate Images Without Consent Shut Down Amid Police Investigation
Dutch Foreign Minister Resigns Amid Deadlock Over Israel Sanctions
Trump and Allies Send Messages of Support to Ukraine on Independence Day Amid Ongoing Conflict
China Reels as Telegram Chat Group Shares Hidden-Camera Footage of Women and Children
Sam Nicoresti becomes first transgender comedian to win Edinburgh Comedy Award
Builders uncover historic human remains in Lancashire house renovation
Australia Wants to Tax Your Empty Bedrooms
MotoGP Cameraman Narrowly Avoids Pedro Acosta Crash at Hungarian Grand Prix
FBI Investigates John Bolton Over Classified Documents in High-Profile Raids
Report reveals OpenAI pitched national ChatGPT Plus subscription to UK ministers
Labour set to freeze income tax thresholds in long-term 'stealth' tax raid
Coca‑Cola explores sale of Costa coffee chain
Trial hears dog walker was chased and fatally stabbed by trio
Restaurateur resigns from government hospitality council over tax criticism
Spanish City funfair shut after serious ride injury
Suspected arson at Ilford restaurant leaves three in critical condition
Tottenham beat Manchester City to go top of Premier League
Bank holiday heatwave to hit 30°C before remnants of Hurricane Erin arrive
UK to deploy immigration advisers to West Africa to block fake visas
Nurse who raped woman continued working for a year despite police alert
Drought forces closures of England’s canal routes, canceling boat holidays
Sweet tooth scents: food-inspired perfumes surge as weight-loss drugs suppress appetites
Experts warn Britain dangerously reliant on imported food
Family of Notting Hill Carnival murder victim call event unmanageable
Bunkers, Billions and Apocalypse: The Secret Compounds of Zuckerberg and the Tech Giants
Ukraine Declares De Facto War on Hungary and Slovakia with Terror Drone Strikes on Their Gas Lifeline
Animated K-pop Musical ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Becomes Netflix’s Most-Watched Original Animated Film
New York Appeals Court Voids Nearly $500 Million Civil Fraud Penalty Against Trump While Upholding Fraud Liability
Elon Musk tweeted, “Europe is dying”
Far-Right Activist Convicted of Incitement Changes Gender and Demands: "Send Me to a Women’s Prison" | The Storm in Germany
Hungary Criticizes Ukraine: "Violating Our Sovereignty"
Will this be the first country to return to negative interest rates?
Child-free hotels spark controversy
North Korea is where this 95-year-old wants to die. South Korea won’t let him go. Is this our ally or a human rights enemy?
Hong Kong Launches Regulatory Regime and Trials for HKD-Backed Stablecoins
China rehearses September 3 Victory Day parade as imagery points to ‘loyal wingman’ FH-97 family presence
Trump Called Viktor Orbán: "Why Are You Using the Veto"
×