Three Virgin Islanders and a Dominican Republic man were arrested Jan. 9 after United States law enforcement seized roughly 667 kilograms of cocaine from their vessel near St. Croix, according to a Monday press release from the US Department of Justice.
Virgin Islanders Shannon John, Sean John, and Emmanuel Tolentino-Lebron, as well as DR national Augusto Rodriguez-Molina, were charged with possession with intent to distribute more than five kilos on a covered vessel and conspiracy, according to the DOJ.
A Monday press release from US Customs and Border Protection stated that an aircraft on patrol over the easter side of the USVI spotted a twin-engine boat travelling at high speed and carrying suspected contraband on the deck.
With support from the aircraft crew, a CBP interceptor and US Coast Guard vessel stopped the go-fast boat about 20 miles east of St. Croix and arrested the four passengers, according to the CBP.