ST. CROIX, USVI – Dequan Forde, 21, of St. Croix, is facing serious federal time after pleading guilty to one count of Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute. The bust unfolded at the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport last year, but the legal wheels turned slowly until the June 6th plea, as announced by U.S. Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert.
The scheme went south on January 31, 2018, when Forde arrived on American Airlines flight #2317 from Miami, Florida. It wasn’t a smooth landing. Airport authorities flagged Forde’s luggage during an x-ray screening, noticing something wasn’t right with the packaging. A closer look revealed two vacuum-sealed bags stashed inside a laundry bag – and they were packed with weed.
The haul wasn’t small change. A subsequent weigh-in determined the total gross weight of the marijuana to be approximately 9.40 kilograms, which translates to roughly 20 pounds. Forde claimed the luggage as his own on the baggage carousel, effectively sealing his fate. The feds didn’t waste time; the investigation quickly escalated.
Federal agents with Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations spearheaded the investigation, meticulously building their case. The seized marijuana was shipped to the DEA Southeast Laboratory in Miami for analysis, confirming the substance and solidifying the charges against Forde. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel H. Huston drove the prosecution.
Forde is now looking at a potential sentence of up to 5 years behind bars, a hefty fine of up to $250,000, and a minimum of 2 years of supervised release if convicted. This isn’t a slap on the wrist; it’s a serious federal offense with serious consequences. The judge will hand down the sentence on October 9, 2019.
This case serves as a stark reminder that attempting to smuggle narcotics into the Virgin Islands – or anywhere in the United States – carries significant risks. Federal agencies are actively working to intercept these operations, and those caught will face the full force of the law. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the sentencing.
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Key Facts
- State: Virgin Islands
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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