Recently recaptured prisoner Jose Almestica slapped with 28 new charges after being caught with 20 guns, a large quantity of cash and nearly 500 kilos of cocaine valued approximately $50 million.
This was revealed by the Commissioner of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force Mark Collins during a press conference held today Friday January 7.
According to Commissioner Collins, Almestica was charged yesterday with 11 counts of Keeping an Unlicensed Firearm, 4 counts of Keeping a Prohibited Weapon, 1 count of Carrying an Unlicensed Firearm, 8 counts of Unlawful Possession of Ammunition and 4 counts of Possession of Control Drugs with Intent to Supply.
Speaking on the breakthrough, Commissioner Collins detailed the contents found during Almestica’s arrest.
He said, “I am here this morning to announce that we have since laid several additional charges against him which are as a result of the discovery of a cache of high powered, illegal and prohibited weapons; an unprecedented quantity of ammunition and a large amount of cash, as well as, a large amount of counterfeit notes, cocaine with a street value of almost $50 million dollars, which were recovered in an operation conducted at the residence where Almestica was known to reside.”
“As a result of the operation conducted by the Major Incident Team, 20 firearms total were confiscated. Of those 20, seven were high-powered prohibited weapons. In addition, close to 500 kilos of cocaine, 5.8 kilos of cannabis and hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash were seized,” he added.
Persons charged with harbouring also slapped with multiple charges
Commissioner Collins also revealed that three individuals charged with harbouring Almestica which included Jennifer Smith, 26, Renee Smith, 33, and Shamal Smith, 31, were also slapped with multiple charges.
These include: 11 counts of Keeping an Unlicensed Firearm, 3 counts of Keeping a Prohibited Weapon, 7 counts of Unlawful Possession of Ammunition and 4 counts of Possession of Control Drugs with intent to supply.
Seizure sets record for guns confiscated in an annual year
The top cop said this seizure of guns has now set a new record in the territory for the most guns confiscated in an annual year which also included 7 high powered weapons.
He labeled Almestica as one of the leading players in the drug and arms trade in both the Virgin Islands, adding that authorities from the United States Virgin Islands will also be questioning him.
He said, “With the illegal firearms confiscated in this operation and the guns confiscated during other operations this year, we have set a record of 30 guns seized for the year 2021. Of those seized, seven were prohibitive weapons. We also seized a record 1650 rounds of ammunition.”
“We consider Mr. Almestica’s recapture substantial. He is obviously a lead player in the drug and arms trade not just in the BVI but in the USVI. There is a strong possibility that other charges may be brought against him as investigations continue. Almestica spent a number of years traversing the seas between the territories. Law enforcement agencies in both jurisdictions had hoped to recapture him before he was aware he was on the radar, which we did,” he further stated.
Commissioner Collins said no further details on the case can be provided at this time, as it is a very active investigation with sensitive information that once released could potentially jeopardize the case.