U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) – Virgin Islands Free Press

3 Ecuadorians plead guilty to drug smuggling at sea

CHRISTIANSTED — Three natives of Ecuador pleaded guilty to drug smuggling charges in federal court, authorities said. Luis Menocal-Mero, 41, Carlos Baque-Pincay, 23, and Carlos Anchundia-Mero, 24, admitted their guilt…

John McCarthy March 14, 2025

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DEA Caribbean Division launches drop box Rx program

CHARLOTTE AMALIE – The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Caribbean Division, in partnership with the U.S. Virgin Islands HIDTA Prevention Initiative, the Virgin Islands Police Department, the Department of Health, the…

John McCarthy February 13, 2025

Breaking News Crime News International News

Drug kingpin gets caught after wife’s European vacation pics reveal his location

Suspected Central American drug kingpin Luis Manuel Picado Grijalba — a.k.a “Shock” — was arrested while on a lavish European vacation with his family—aided by an unlikely source: his wife’s…

John McCarthy January 28, 2025

Breaking News Caribbean News Crime News

Icky to some, ‘diamonds’ to others: How eels figure into money laundering in Haiti

PORT-AU-PRINCE — In Japan, a prepared dish costs up to $90 a plate, while in the northeastern United States they are worth thousands of dollars a pound, fresh out of…

John McCarthy January 24, 2025

Breaking News Caribbean News Crime News

Puerto Rican man gets 4.5 years for cocaine trafficking

CHARLOTTE AMALIE —A native of Puerto Rico was sentenced to 4.5 years in prison for cocaine trafficking. Carlos Gascot Concepcion, 46, was given 55 months of imprisonment after a federal…

John McCarthy January 15, 2025

Breaking News Caribbean News Crime News

3 men from Ecuador get 6.5 years for trafficking cocaine

CHARLOTTE AMALIE — Two men from Ecuador were given 6.5-year prison terms for trafficking cocaine last December, authorities said. Mario Montano Camacho, 41, and Juan Ignacio Reyes Delgado, 48, were…

John McCarthy December 28, 2024

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Known drug dealer pleads guilty to selling cocaine

CHARLOTTE AMALIE —A St. Thomas man known for doing drug deals openly in the Red Hook area has pleaded guilty to selling cocaine. Niah Henry, 35, of St. Thomas, was…

John McCarthy December 9, 2024

Breaking News Caribbean News Crime News

Puerto Rican jet ski cocaine trafficker pleads guilty

CHARLOTTE AMALIE — A Puerto Rican man who smuggled about 60 pounds of cocaine into the U.S. Virgin Islands on a personal watercraft has pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges.…

John McCarthy December 9, 2024

Breaking News Crime News Police News

Ultimate drug don Ivan James gets 35 years

CHARLOTTE AMALIE — Ivan James, 40, Joh Williams, 38, Malachi Benjamin, 28, Ariel Petersen, 28, and Jahkiebo Joseph, 26, all of St. Croix, were sentenced by District Court Judge Mark…

John McCarthy December 9, 2024

Breaking News Crime News National News

A former DEA agent is convicted of protecting drug traffickers

BUFFALO (AP) — A former U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agent in Buffalo, New York, was convicted of corruption Thursday following a second trial on charges he used his position to…

John McCarthy October 13, 2024