Jan. 6, 2009 — Two residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands and a native of Dominica are spending the first week of the new year in British Virgin Islands jail cells after getting charged with importing large amounts of cocaine and marijuana.
On New Year's Eve, Shamori Chinnery of St. Thomas traveled to Jost Van Dyke on a ferry from Red Hook carrying 482 grams of marijuana, according to Royal British Virgin Islands Police Force spokeswoman Diane Drayton.
BVI customs agents found the drugs in vacuum-sealed plastic bags wrapped in his clothing, police say. The drugs have a street value of approximately $4,820, Drayton said. Police speculate that the cannabis was to be sold at the island's famed New Year's parties.
Chinnery, listed in news reports as 20 years old, was transported to Tortola, where he pleaded guilty to importation of drugs and possession with intent to supply, Drayton said. He has pleaded guilty and is scheduled for sentencing Wednesday. Drayton did not know the range of possible penalties Chinnery faces.
Last week a BVI police marine unit captured two men on a yacht carrying 56 kilograms of cocaine, police say.
Ronald Weisel, a 58-year-old U.S. citizen residing in the USVI, was captaining the sailboat Captain Ron with crew member Hillary Toussaint of Dominica when BVI police searched the vessel. They were arrested and charged with importation of drugs, possession with intent to supply and possession of cocaine, Drayton said. Further details about the arrest were not available.
Editor's Note: According to Native Son Management, their ferry did not travel to Jost Van Dyke New Year's Eve as was first reported by BVI police. The Source has made the correction in the story.
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