Guyanese Based Islander charged following firearm & drug find

The two men held after a loaded firearm and marijuana were found following a traffic stop by police at the roundabout in Road Town, Tortola, on April 28, 2020, have been formally charged.

Guyanese Damian Hooper, 23, of Huntums Ghut and Vincentian Corey Butler, 33, of Long Bay, West End were jointly charged with Carrying a Firearm without a License, Unlawful Possession of Explosives and Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Drug.

According to the Royal Virgin Islands Police (RVIPF), the men remain in Police Custody pending their appearance in the Magistrate’s Court.

According to senior sources within the RVIPF, police stopped the vehicle when they noticed the driver suspiciously switched lanes in an attempt to avoid a police stop and search in the heart of Road Town, just after 11:00am on Tuesday, April 28, 2020.

The driver, Mr Hooper, got out of the car and ran. He was reportedly chased by police and later found hiding in the bushes at John’s Hole.

The Vincentian, Mr Butler, who remained in the vehicle, was questioned and searched.

Police allegedly found over $8,000 cash and over 13 grams of cannabis in his pocket.

A loaded pistol was reportedly found under a mat on the passenger side of the motor car.

The homes of the two men were also reportedly searched but nothing illegal was found.