Statement

Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions
Release Date:
Sunday, 29 November 2020 - 8:51am

STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO ERRONEOUS ARTICLE REGARDING FOUR PERSONS ENTERING THE BVI ILLEGALLY

29 November, 2020

There is an erroneous news article titled: “Virginia woman worried about safety of sister detained in British Virgin Islands” by Scott Taylor, ABC7 WJLA, November 26, 2020. 

The public  is advised of the following facts: 
 
On 19th November, 2020.  four persons were apprehended by the Joint Task Force, particularly Customs and Immigration Officers. 
 
Nicholas Cancro, John Hines Jr, Lynee Ann Hines and Jeanne McKinnon were on board a vessel that entered the Territorial waters without permission from the Ministry of Health and the Chief Immigration Officer, while the Territory’s Borders remain closed.
 
The persons were charged with illegal entry without the permission of an Immigration Officer contrary to section 20(3) of the Immigration Ordinance Cap 130 as amended.  
 
Pursuant to the Public Health  laws of the Territory that were introduced to protect the Territory's citizens from the spread of the novel COVID-19 virus,  the four individuals have been placed on mandatory quarantine for a period of 14 days at a local hotel.  
 
All four persons are safe and are being cared for with BVILOVE and with the finances of the Government and people of the Virgin Islands.
 
The matter was submitted to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution on the 27th November, 2020 by the Commissioner of Customs at 11:15 a.m., following which the matter was processed and forwarded to the Magistrates' Court via the Police Prosecution Unit, for an urgent hearing date.  
 
The public is being reminded that the Territory reserves the right to apprehend and prosecute any person regardless of nationality, race, gender etc., who violates the laws of the British Virgin Islands.  
 
The allegations being circulated by the press and persons are without merit and can easily attract civil and criminal liability.
 

The Government of the Virgin Islands through its law enforcement officers remains committed to keeping the Territory safe. Additionally, the Territory looks forward to its reopening of its borders on December 1 when it will welcome visitors in a safe and controlled way.