On the 29th March, 2022 the Senior Magistrate after a trial which commenced in January 2021, convicted the Defendants Kemel Wilson and Alberto Valera for the following offences:

a. Possession of Proceeds of Criminal Conduct contrary to section 29 (1) of the Proceeds of Criminal Act 1997 of the Laws of the Virgin Islands. 

b. Failing to Declare Monies to her Majesty’s Customs contrary to section 87 (4) of the Customs Management & Duties Act, No. 6 of 2010 of the Laws of the Virgin Islands. 

c. Illegal Entry contrary to section 20 (3) of the Immigration Ordinance, Chapter 130 of the Laws of the Virgin Islands. 

d. The Defendant Wilson had a complaint against him for Failing to Comply with an Order contrary to section 91 (1) (c) of the Police Act (CAP 165), of the Laws of the Virgin Islands

In addition to convicting the Defendants on all Complaints the Senior Magistrate ordered for the amount of US$805,370.00 to be forfeited to the Crown. 
These monies were recovered on the 16th day of June 2020, when Officers from the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force and that Customs Department spotted the Defendants while on sea patrol just off the coast of St. Thomas. 

Sentencing is scheduled for May, 2022.