Federal agencies involved in USVI raid

US federal agents loading boxes onto a Homeland
Security helicopter in St John during an apparent raid
on a local bar

by Susan Mann
Caribbean Net News Correspondent

Wednesday,  November 23, 2005

ST JOHN, USVI: A Homeland Security helicopter touched down in an athletic field on St. John in the US Virgin Islands shortly after noon last Thursday, apparently on official Internal Revenue Service (IRS) business. 

Box after box of unidentified contents were then immediately carried from waiting vans and loaded onto the helicopter by IRS, Customs and Border Patrol Agents. The helicopter later returned to pick up additional agents at the site. 

A spokesperson for the local FBI office on St Thomas told Caribbean Net News he knew nothing about what the helicopter was loading or the fact that it was in the Virgin Islands. Local US customs officials were not able to comment on the specifics of the operation.

A visiting St Thomas resident, who was close by when the helicopter landed, spoke with Caribbean Net News on condition of anonymity. He said, "I heard a loud rumble and knew right away it wasn't a normal helicopter. As it descended to the ball field, a caravan of several unmarked vehicles circled past Cruz Bay Apartments toward the VI Park Visitors Center. Immediately, at least a dozen armed agents, one with a riffle and bulletproof vest, exited the vehicles carrying boxes toward the helicopter. Some of the agents wore identifying shirts, with IRS-CI, Federal Agent, Customs Border Patrol, among others." 

A St John resident indicated that she had witnessed several IRS agents removing items from "The Beach Bar", a popular establishment located at Wharfside Village in Cruz Bay. The business is located a short distance from the St John Ferry Dock

Later in the afternoon an employee of the establishment said when the business opened at the usual time the agents had already left the premises. One witness to the apparent "raid" chose not to share her observations with Caribbean Net News for fear of hurting the tourist industry. 

An IRS agent told the St. John Source, "The matter is under seal and cannot be discussed." In addition, USVI police spokesperson Sargent Thomas Hannah stated that a warrant was executed by the IRS.

The island of St. John is known for its quiet, tranquil atmosphere. Residents and tourists alike were taken by surprise by the incident. 

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