Crime

Georgia Man Who Heard Marijuana Was More Expensive on St. Croix Arrested After Stowing 4 Pounds in Luggage to Sell on Island

ST. THOMAS — United States Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert announced Wednesday that Ra’Kheel Velasquez of Georgia was arrested May 14, 2021 on a warrant signed by District Court Magistrate Judge George W. Cannon, Jr. for the charges of possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute by person on board aircraft. According to court documents, Velasquez, age 23, is accused of traveling on March 10, 2021 to St. Croix from Georgia with approximately four pounds of marijuana in his luggage. Per the affidavit in support of criminal complaint, Homeland Security Investigations Special Agents were contacted March 10, 2021 by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers regarding an in inbound airline passenger in possession of approximately four pounds of marijuana at the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport. CBP officers conducted a physical examination of a large red suitcase, later claimed by Velasquez, and discovered suspected ...