Two persons are now in custody following a joint operation that resulted in the recovery of a “significant amount” of a substance police said they believe to be cocaine.
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) said in a brief statement this morning that the joint operation was between its officers and US federal agents.
The operation involved both air and marine access from both agencies and culminated this morning with a boat chase that ended on Long Bay, Beef Island.
The cocaine was seized along with a speed boat.
Heavily armed officers were observed patrolling the beach at Long Bay early this morning in what appeared to be a manhunt for the suspects involved in the drug incident.
A helicopter with a spotlight was seen hovering in the East End area between 3 am and 4 am on Tuesday, May 9.
Amateur video footage and photographs sent to our news centre shows police surrounding a vessel which reportedly ran aground on Beef Island.
The police have not released the identities of the persons in custody.