2023 – Page 22 – Virgin Islands Free Press

Man Who Put de Cocaine Into de Coconut -Instead of de Lime – Gets 8.5 Years In Prison

CHRISTIANSTED — A St. Croix native who put the cocaine into the coconut — instead of the lime — was given 8.5 years in prison. Kareme Holst, 46, currently a…

John McCarthy November 4, 2023

At VIFreep Breaking News Caribbean News

Ecuadorian Gets Nearly 6 Years In Prison For Smuggling Cocaine Into The United States

CHARLOTTE AMALIE — A native of Ecuador was given a nearly six-year prison term for his role in smuggling 1,748 pounds of cocaine into U.S. territorial waters. Nestor Vera Escalante…

John McCarthy November 4, 2023

At VIFreep Breaking News Environmental News

USVI declares state of emergency after lead and copper found in tap water in St. Croix

CHRISTIANSTED (AP) — The governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands announced this week that he declared a state of emergency after officials revealed last week that tap water in St. Croix…

John McCarthy November 4, 2023

At VIFreep Breaking News Business News

Royal Caribbean alters 2024 cruise itineraries to skip Israel

MIAMI (Reuters) — Royal Caribbean Group is removing Israel from its 2024 itineraries due to the Israel-Hamas war, according to an email sent to travel agents on Thursday seen by Reuters,…

John McCarthy November 3, 2023

At VIFreep Breaking News Crime News

George Santos survives effort to expel him from the House, still faces an ethics probe

WASHINGTON (AP) — Rep. George Santos easily survived a vote Wednesday to expel him from the House as most Republicans and 31 Democrats opted to withhold punishment while both his criminal trial…

John McCarthy November 3, 2023

At VIFreep Breaking News Crime News

California Woman Pleads Guilty To Smuggling Marijuana and Magic Mushrooms

CHARLOTTE AMALIE — A California woman pleaded guilty to drug possession charges, United States Attorney Delia L. Smith said Thursday. Joeva Elizabeth Williams, 39, of Sacramento, pleaded guilty to possession…

John McCarthy November 3, 2023

At VIFreep Breaking News Caribbean News

World’s Top Caribbean Tourism Destinations Are Also Most Dangerous For Homicides

KINGSTON — The Caribbean emerged as the world's top tourist region in 2023. Seven of the world's top ten most visited countries have a Caribbean coastline, continuing the region's dominance…

John McCarthy November 2, 2023

At VIFreep Breaking News Crime News

FRENCH CONNECTION 2: Dominican man gets 14-year prison term for cocaine conspiracy

CHARLOTTE AMALIE — A native of the Dominican Republic was slapped with a 14-year prison after a conviction on cocaine conspiracy charges. Yefri Martinez-Herrera, 31, of the Dominican Republic, was…

John McCarthy November 2, 2023

At VIFreep Breaking News Caribbean News

China’s Xi to be deported for illegally entering the United States in St. Thomas

CHARLOTTE AMALIE — A Chinese man who trekked from China to Suriname by air and Suriname to St. Thomas by boat will be deported back to his homeland. Xiaoling Li,…

John McCarthy November 2, 2023

At VIFreep Breaking News Caribbean News

3 Puerto Rico men plead guilty in Stumpy Bay cocaine trafficking bust

CHARLOTTE AMALIE — Three Puerto Rican men have admitted to their roles in a cocaine distribution conspiracy at Stumpy Bay in St. Thomas. Pedro Ramos-Ramirez, 28, Gerald Cruz, 26,…

John McCarthy November 2, 2023