Man Charged With Smuggling Marijuana On Flight To St. Thomas 

John McCarthyPosted oninAt VIFreep, Breaking News, Crime News, Police News, St. Thomas News

CHARLOTTE AMALIE — A St. Thomas man was taken into custody at 11:47a.m. Thursday by the Criminal Investigation Bureau after an investigation revealed that he was in possession of at least 10 pounds of marijuana, the Virgin Islands Police Department said.. 

Christopher T.K. Smith was observed picking up his luggage from a Miami, Florida flight and U.S. Customs and Border Protection conducted a search of his luggage after a CBP K-9 alerted controlled substances inside of Smith’s luggage, according to the VIPD.

VIPD mugshot of Christopher T.K. Smith

Smith, 25, was arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana, VIPD Communications Director Glen Dratte said. 

Bail for Smith was set at $7,500. Unable to post bail, he was remanded to the custody of the Bureau of Corrections pending an advice-of-rights hearing. 

John McCarthy

John F. McCarthy is a veteran journalist in the Caribbean, writing from the "Decision Space" where survival meets the surreal. His reporting steel was tempered by a lineage of legendary editors and broadcasters, including Ed Wynn Brant (The Bomb), Owen Eschenroder (Ann Arbor News), Lynelle Emanuel (BVI Beacon), and Charles Thanas (WSVI-TV). Alongside longtime colleague Kenneth C. "Casey" Clark, McCarthy has navigated the front lines of the territory’s history—from the 1997 volcanic "snow" to every major hurricane since Hugo. Known for leaning out of doorless helicopters to capture the "money shot," McCarthy now edits the V.I. Free Press, providing the essential link between the island's colonial past and its SpaceX future.