Cocaine recovered by federeal agents (not the 800 kilograms of cocaine) confiscated in Anegada, BVI.
TORTOLA, BVI — New details have emerged in a high-stakes drug seizure operation carried out last month in Anegada, British Virgin Islands, revealing that the Cessna aircraft intercepted by authorities was carrying over 800 kilograms of cocaine.
The operation, which was a joint effort between law enforcement agencies from the BVI and the United States, resulted in the temporary shutdown of the Auguste George Airport and led to several arrests.
While the individuals arrested have been released, no charges have been filed yet. "This is an ongoing investigation," said a spokesperson from the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF). Authorities have executed search warrants at various locations on the island as part of the investigation and are urging anyone with information on the incident to contact RVIPF Intelligence at (284) 368-9339.
The operation initially became public through a terse statement from the RVIPF, which said that "an airplane and a significant amount of what is believed to be cocaine" had been seized. Subsequent reports from local BVI news outlets highlighted an active manhunt and the temporary closure of the Auguste George Airport on the day of the operation.
Further adding to the mystery, the aircraft involved bore a U.S.-style registration number, N784PG. A search in the Federal Aviation Administration database, however, revealed that this number is "Not Assigned/Reserved."
The incident is not an isolated one but follows several recent narcotics busts in the BVI involving boats used for smuggling. In a separate event, one such boat was burned in a police impound lot just days after it was seized, in what authorities suspect to be a case of arson.
The situation continues to be fluid, with updates expected as the investigation progresses.
