Beautiful Virgin Islands

Thursday, Jul 03, 2025

'I don't have info' on where drugs seized are destroyed- Premier

'I don't have info' on where drugs seized are destroyed- Premier

Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie has revealed that the Virgin Islands (VI) government has no idea where drugs from seizures are sent when they are shipped out of the territory to be destroyed.

Hon Fahie made the revelation at last night’s Tuesday, March 16, 2021, edition of VIP Radio on ZBVI 780 AM, following questions from one male caller who referred to outsourcing policy as ‘fishy,’ given VI has a large incinerator.

Commissioner of Police, Mr Michael B. Matthews on February 8, 2021, had confirmed to Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) that the 2,353 kilos of record cocaine that was discovered in Balsam Ghut on Friday, November 6, 2020, has been shipped out of the territory for destruction.


VI couldn’t destroy drugs in ‘one go’ – CoP Matthews


Commissioner of Police, Mr Michael B. Matthews on February 8, 2021, had confirmed to Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) that the 2,353 kilos of record cocaine that was discovered in Balsam Ghut on Friday, November 6, 2020, had been shipped out of the territory for destruction.

While the Commissioner did not reveal the destination of the exported drugs over security reasons, he said the haul was shipped away in January 2021 after the Senior Magistrate gave a destruction order on the load.

“I would say as Premier of this country, that is outside my pay scale. I wouldn't have known anything about that, that would have been something directly under the Police and the Governor, being that security is under them directly,” Premier Fahie said in response to the caller.

When questioned on why the drug had to be shipped out of the territory, Mr Matthews had told VINO it was because the VI does not have the facilities to destroy the drugs in “one go”.

Premier Andrew A. Fahie made the announcement during last night’s Tuesday, March 16, 2021, edition of VIP Radio on ZBVI 780am, following questions from one male caller who referred to outsourcing practice as ‘fishy’.


Only Gov & Top CoP can say – Premier


Meanwhile, Premier Fahie while, encouraging the caller to ask the Commissioner directly about the whereabouts of the drugs, reiterated that both he and his Ministers have nothing to do with the destruction of drugs.

“I don't have that information, because it would not have been something that would involve the Premier or any Minister or elected official or whatever… so that would be a more question directly along their lines [Governor & Commissioner] so I really don't have the answer for that,” Premier Fahie said.

Hon Fahie said he suspects; however, that the arrangement to export the drug for destruction would be one that is legally sound.

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