According to the UK publication, Evening Standard, more than a tonne of cocaine, worth £100 million, has been found hidden in a shipment of banana pulp.

The 1,060 kilograms of concealed cocaine were discovered hidden in a shipping container as part of routine inspections by Border Force at the London Gateway depot in Essex last month, November.

Home Secretary Priti S. Patel said: “Drugs fuel criminality and destroy lives."

2nd major drug bust in 2 months in Essex, UK

The discovery on November 12, 2020, marks the second-largest shipment of cocaine to be discovered at the Essex port in the space of two months.

In September, Border Force National Deep Rummage Team officers discovered 1,155 kilograms of cocaine in a shipment of paper.

Following the discovery of some 2,353 kilos cocaine in a trailer in Balsam Ghut on November 6, 2020, Governor Jaspert and Commissioner of Police Michael B. Matthews called a press conference on Tuesday, November 10, 2020, to gloat over the find and also made certain comments that many have said could have possible implications on the VI’s investment future.

“My view and that of law enforcers is that this is not the work of a few criminals sneaking through the cracks or a one-off. A seizure of this scale, especially when combined with other seizures made in recent months, is strong evidence of serious and organised criminality here in BVI,” Governor Jaspert stated, adding that there may be “pockets of corruption facilitating this kind of illicit activity.”

At the time one serving police officer was charged in connection with the drug bust.

Governor’s statements damaging to VI’s reputation- Talk show host

The Governor, who is tasked with the security of the Territory, continued that “the fact that corruption has occurred is a sobering sign that our institutions can be manipulated. If we fail to tackle corruption now, there is a danger that it could spread throughout our institutions, businesses and society.”

Accusing both the Commissioner and Governor of gloating over the drug bust, Mr Julio S. Henry on the November 17, 2020, edition of JTV’s The Big Story said the Governor remains in charge of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) and security, therefore, he cannot call it corrupt and disassociate himself from those comments.

“The Governor is responsible. So is he saying that the system that he's in charge of and the Police [is] in charge of, has systematic corruption? That makes him corrupt,” Henry told The Big Story host Ms Cathy O. Richards.

Mr Henry had also hypothesised that an outsider looking into the VI and reading about systematic corruption in the UK press has the potential to deter future investors.

Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie in his 2021 Budget Speech of November 12, 2020, had called the Governor’s statement irresponsible and asked for a retraction, which to date, has not happened.

Governor ‘irresponsible’

Meanwhile, Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1) in his 2021 Budget Speech of November 12, 2020, had called the Governor’s statement irresponsible and asked for a retraction, which to date, has not happened.

“This latest bust does not show that our system is corrupt, but rather it shows that our system and our officers stand up for what is right,” the Premier said.

Premier Fahie said the statement was a well-calculated attempt to stain the good name of the many hardworking law-abiding citizens, the local law enforcement agencies and the VI economy, “The irresponsible statement made will not deter your Government from investing in the advancement of our people in all aspects of local law enforcement.”

Persons have since called into to our newsroom and shared the articles about the recent drug bust in the UK.

They are now wondering if Governor Japsert will now say there are pockets of corruption in the UK facilitating such illicit activity.

Our newsroom reached out to the Governor’s Officer for a comment; however, no response was received up to time of publication.

‘Reckless’ Governor Jaspert

The Governor, who has been accused of trying to cause a divide between the people of the Virgin Islands and their elected government with certain public utterances, recently drew the ire of some people of the Territory, including Premier Fahie when he publicly stated there was corruption in the civil service, even though he admitted he had absolutely no proof.

Premier Fahie had labelled the Governor’s statement as reckless as it has implications on the local, regional and international reputation of the [British] Virgin Islands and how all Virgin Islanders are viewed by persons looking on.

Don’t bite the hand that feeds you

Premier Fahie lamented “it is sad that this is the goodbye gift that Governor chooses to leave the people of the BVI with after they have showed him BVILOVE for the last four years.”

The expenses of the Governor, including accommodation and transportation, are borne by the Government of the Virgin Islands.

The UK national, Mr Jaspert, also recently upset a section of the Virgin Islands population for what many described as insensitive, insulting and derogatory remarks about reparations for the cruel acts of slavery and the preservation of names of landmarks in the Territory.

No apologies from Governor to date

Some persons, including talk show hosts and prominent figures, have called for an apology from the Governor; however, none was made.

Mr Jaspert was scheduled to depart the territory this year but recently announced he is staying on until January 2021.

The public now waits with bated breath as to what will be the next controversy coming from the UK appointed Governor.

The discovery of cocaine at a port in Essex, UK, on November 12, 2020, marks the second-largest shipment of cocaine to be discovered at the Essex port in the space of two months.

Former talk show host, Julio S. Henry aka ‘Sam’ says he was offended by comments coming out of a press conference hosted by Governor Augustus J.U. Jaspert and Commissioner of Police, Mr Michael B. Matthews that in the Virgin Islands (VI) there are pockets of corruption facilitating crime.