Gun, Ammo Seized in Fat Hogs Bay
A 30-year-old man was arrested after police found a loaded 9mm pistol and ammunition during a patrol in the Fat Hogs Bay area shortly after midnight on July 21, 2026. The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force says the suspect faces firearm and explosives charges and remains in custody awaiting a Magistrate’s Court hearing.
The Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) arrested a 30-year-old man early on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, after officers on patrol recovered a loaded firearm and ammunition in the Fat Hogs Bay area. Police said officers observed a male “engaging in illegal activities” shortly after midnight and, following inquiries, recovered a 9mm pistol loaded with 15 rounds of ammunition.
The suspect, identified as Tiejie Henley of Luck Hill, was arrested and charged with carrying a firearm without a licence and unlawful possession of explosives. He remains in police custody pending a hearing before the Magistrate’s Court. The RVIPF reiterated its appeal to the public to provide information about illegal firearms, weapons and other criminal activity.
Members of the public can contact the Intelligence Unit at 368-9512, or provide anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers at 800-8477 (TIPS), the force said. Seizures of firearms and ammunition are a key focus for police as they work to reduce violent crime and improve public safety across the British Virgin Islands.
Officers conducting proactive patrols — particularly overnight and in areas known for higher activity — are routinely looking to disrupt illegal weapons circulation and related offences. For residents, such operations are meant to reassure communities that law enforcement is actively responding to threats to public safety.
Community cooperation is central to those efforts. The RVIPF has repeatedly asked residents to report suspicious behaviour, unusual movements, or information about weapons possession so investigations can proceed more swiftly. Anonymous reporting options are highlighted to encourage people who may fear retaliation to come forward without revealing their identity.
This arrest will likely be followed by further enquiries as investigators determine how the weapon came into the suspect’s possession and whether there are links to other incidents. For now, police say the matter is before the courts and emphasised that anyone with additional information should contact the Intelligence Unit or Crime Stoppers.
The RVIPF’s action in Fat Hogs Bay underscores ongoing policing activity across the territory to keep illegal firearms off the streets and to protect residents and visitors alike.
Primary source: VINO