The Cyril E. King Airport in St. Thomas, USVI Photo Credit: V.I. CONSORTIUM
ST. THOMAS — United States Attorney Delia L. Smith announced on Friday the sentencing of two St. Thomas residents, Ahkoy Smith, 25, and Shakari Francis, 27, for their involvement in cocaine trafficking.
Chief District Judge Robert A. Molloy sentenced both individuals to 20 months of incarceration following their convictions of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.
According to court documents, the matter unfolded on January 11, 2023, when Customs and Border Protection officers observed Francis, an employee of Cape Air, via airport surveillance cameras entering the men’s restroom in the departure terminal. Upon being approached by officers, Francis admitted he was paid $2,000 to deliver two bricks of cocaine to Ahkoy Smith in the restroom.
Further developments occurred at the Cyril E. King Airport, where officers established a passenger screening station at the Spirit Airlines departure gate. As officers approached Smith, he attempted to flee onto the active runway but was quickly apprehended. Smith was found in possession of a red “Jordan” backpack containing the two bricks of cocaine.
The investigation was carried out by Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Everard Potter prosecuted the case as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) initiative.
The OCDETF program aims to identify, disrupt, and dismantle high-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that pose a threat to the United States. This is achieved through a collaborative, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach involving federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.
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