Woman sues after wrongful CoI arrest
Genette Colastin has filed suit against the Government of the Virgin Islands after what she says was a wrongful arrest, detention and public accusation of human trafficking by UK police officers attached to the Commission of Inquiry (CoI). This updated account incorporates additional details from court records and reporting by Virgin Islands News Online (VINO), including a fuller timeline of events, descriptions of her treatment while detained, communications from officers in 2024, and the eventual dropping of charges.
Genette Colastin has sued the Government of the Virgin Islands alleging wrongful arrest, false imprisonment and defamation after she was arrested in February 2023 during an investigation involving UK police officers attached to the Commission of Inquiry (CoI), according to court records and reporting by Virgin Islands News Online (VINO).
Court documents show Colastin travelled to Haiti in December 2022 and returned to Tortola on 24 January 2023 with three family members — an uncle and two cousins — who she said were visiting on vacation. She told the court she ensured everyone had visas and return tickets and that immigration authorised the family to remain in the Territory for the month requested (VINO; court records).
On 2 February 2023, while at her sister’s home in Johnson’s Ghut, Colastin said she received a phone call from someone claiming to be a police officer asking about her relatives; the call disconnected and she immediately went to check at Road Town Police Station (RTPS) and the Immigration Department (VINO).
After being asked to return to RTPS, she arrived at about 1:00pm and says two plain‑clothes UK male officers, who identified themselves as part of the CoI, told her she was under arrest on suspicion of human trafficking (court records; VINO). Colastin says the officers ordered her to remain silent and searched her handbag, emptying its contents onto a table and confiscating items including bank cards, a pair of earrings, make‑up, her phone and even the handbag itself, without presenting an inventory or asking her to sign for items (VINO).
She says two different officers — including a UK female officer who initially identified herself as "Avril" but who Colastin later learned was Officer Calafat — interviewed her for about two hours, asking intrusive questions about family finances, how many people she brings to the Caribbean and whether she was paid to do so (VINO).
Colastin told the court she was then detained overnight in a cell she described as filthy, windowless and full of mosquitoes, and that the shower facilities were unusable; she said she lost three days' pay (total $112.50) while detained. She was taken to court on 6 February and released on bail that day (court records; VINO).
A police press release dated 4 February reported arrests on suspicion of human trafficking and stated that Colastin had been charged. Colastin says the public reporting caused significant reputational harm: parents withdrew children from a church care programme where she volunteered, a bank (Banco Popular) closed her accounts, and she suffered stress, anxiety and social stigma (VINO).
Colastin says she was later told police were not proceeding with charges. Her surety, Lariston Lake, received a letter dated 30 August 2024 indicating police would not pursue the case, and official correspondence confirming charges would not go forward arrived to Colastin on 10 October 2024 (VINO; court records).
She also says she learned her relatives had been detained by the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force and later deported by charter plane to Haiti without money or luggage (VINO). In April 2023 Colastin says she was asked to collect some belongings but received only her work permit card and driver’s licence; in August 2024 she says officers apologised in a meeting and told her the police would not proceed (VINO).
Her legal action remains before the courts. The case raises broader questions for residents about the conduct and accountability of UK CoI officers operating in the Territory, the use of public statements during active investigations, and potential costs to taxpayers should damages be awarded (VINO; court records).
Primary source: VINO