VIPD’s ‘Operation Curfew’ Nets Two Rifles, Three Shotguns, A Bullet Proof Vest And Marijuana Growing Inside Home

ST. CROIX — A joint initiative conducted by the Virgin Islands Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Bureau and Superior Court Marshals dubbed “Operation Curfew”, netted a cache of weapons and a large quantity of marijuana, VIPD Public Information Officer Kevin Jackson announced this afternoon.

Following up on individuals under house arrest, officers went to a residence located in Hannah’s Rest, where they discovered approximately one 114 marijuana plants under a fluorescent light at the rear of the home. The home was occupied by three adults (two men, one woman) and three minor children. When queried as to the ownership of the marijuana plants, Winston Berkley stated that the plants were his.

Written consent was obtained to search the residence, and in addition to the marijuana plants found on the premises, officers located a cache of weapons: three handguns, two rifles, multiple rounds of cartridges and ammunition, along with a bullet-proof vest.

Berkley, 58, was arrested and charged with cultivation of marijuana, with bail set at $10,000 and Quanza Heath, 26, was charged and arrested with unauthorized possession of a firearm with bail set at $25,000. Berkley is also the third-person custodian and uncle of Heath. Both men were remanded to the Bureau of Corrections pending their advise of rights hearing after failing to make bail.