News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 4, 2006
Contact: Waldo Santiago
787-775-1727

Operation Mine U Business Nets 7 Indictments and 6 Arrests

AUG 04 -- (St. Croix) - Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”) Special Agent in Charge (“SAC”) Jerome M. Harris, United States Attorney Anthony J. Jenkins, and U.S. Virgin Islands Police Department (“VIPD”) Commissioner Elton Lewis announced today the indictment of seven members of an alleged international heroin and cocaine trafficking organization.

This organization was reportedly responsible for the trafficking of heroin and cocaine from St. Maarten NA, through St. Croix and to Baltimore. According to DEA, the organization used boats to transport cocaine and heroin into the U.S. Virgin Islands and then utilized couriers aboard commercial airliners to deliver the drugs to its final destination in Baltimore.

Those indicted include Troy NESBITT, 31, Travis THOMAS, 22, Sylvester CHRISTOPHER, 35, Dwayne WOODRUP, 23, and Jada MYERS, 24, of St. Croix. In addition, Baltimore resident Renar JAMES was also indicted. Christopher and Woodrup were arrested in St. Croix and have been detained. Nesbitt and Thomas were arrested in Baltimore, and have been detained. James is presently in custody, and bond has not been posted. Myers, arrested in California, has posted bond. There is one fugitive.

This year-long investigation was a coordinated effort between DEA offices located in St. Croix, Baltimore and the Caribbean Division Foreign Operations Group, as well as the Virgin Islands Police Department.

DEA Resident Agent in Charge (“RAC”) Gene Hawk stated that this was the first phase of this ongoing investigation and that there has been excellent teamwork and coordination between all of the different entities involved in the case. VIPD Police Commissioner Lewis, who currently is the Chairman of the HIDTA Executive Board, fully supported this operation by providing additional manpower and other assets to the St. Croix HIDTA Task Force. U.S. Attorney Jenkins emphasized that an indictment is not evidence of guilt, and that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until guilt is established in court.

ATTENTION TO THE MEDIA:

DEA RAC Hawk has provided audio comments for use by print, visual, or audio news media. The comments can be accessed by media members by dialing 1-888-557-6494, and upon being prompted, dialing mailbox number 709.