The male suspect taken into custody on Saturday March 6th, 2021 after officers uncovered over 500 kilograms of cocaine packed in 18 duffle bags in his taxi in Cane Garden Bay, Tortola has been charged.
Paul Hodge, 39, of Cane Garden Bay was charged with possession of a control drug with intent to supply. The 18 duffle bags containing the control drug, along with cash and documents were confiscated from the vehicle. A subsequent search was carried out on his home.
The officers of the RVIPF Special Investigation Team, who conducted the search, also charged two persons for keeping an unlicensed firearm after a search warrant executed on Friday afternoon at a home in Butu Mountain uncovered the loaded illegal weapon. Charged are Dwight Callwood, 41, and female Pia King, 22, both residing in Butu Mountain.
The two searches are not connected.
All three will appear before the Magistrate’s Court at the next available sitting.
In the relation to the drug find, Commissioner of Police Michael Matthews noted that the fight continues to be wage by officers of the RVIPF against those who are trafficking illicit drugs.
“We remain committed to the battle to make it difficult for those who want to use the Territory as a transshipment point for illicit drugs. It is a war that we must continue to wage and win, in order to maintain our enjoyed level of security and safety both in our waters and on land. There can be no compromise, no middle ground,” he said.