The Feds Are Here

ST. CROIX — Federal government agents — the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) — and other federal arms are in the territory in strong numbers, and are conducting raids in various locations, including the territory’s airports and seaports.

But while Virgin Islands Police Department Commissioner Delroy Richards confirmed that massive raids were ongoing, he refused to identify the federal agencies conducting the raids, even though they’ve already been spotted by members of the community, and made known in press releases detailing arrests and charges being issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The commissioner also refused to go into detail in relation to how raids were being conducted or locations already targeted by the federal agents, hoping not to compromise those efforts. Residents have contacted The Consortium concerning raids in the John F. Kennedy and Mutual Homes housing communities, although the publication has been unable to confirm those reports.

Richards did, however, confirm successful airport and seaport raids.

“The other day we searched about 186 bags on JetBlue, 86 on Seaborne, and one of the things that we did was we had four dummy bags put on the same flights, just to make sure that our dogs hit every one of them,” Richards said. “Plus, we utilized the X-ray vans at the airport which allowed us to X-ray a lot of luggage.”

He continued: “And the initiative has been proven to be fruitful so far, but all these operations have to be very much sustained, and the VIPD has embraced all the assistance that we’ve gotten so far and what we continue to receive. And it’s not just for me or the VIPD; it’s for the entire community.”

Governor Kenneth Mapp has on numerous occasions spoken of a new level of cooperation with “federal partners” in an effort to fight crime. That promise is already paying dividends in light of recent preemptive action being conducted in the territory.

The VIPD is also under consent decree, which limits certain local police actions. But the federal agents, operating under federal guidelines, have more leeway and freedom that local officers. And while it’s not complete immunity, their expertise and wherewithal have been of great benefit to the VIPD, Richards said.

He also stressed that the federal agents were briefed on the consent decree, and made known that their commitment to the territory is long-term.

“One of the first contingents was to sit in class and go over all our consent decree mandates, especially as it relates to force, so that there won’t be any violations,” Richards said. “So it’s not like they came in and just took over,” Richards contended. He also reiterated that the combined efforts “have to be sustainable” for lasting success to be realized.