ST. THOMAS, USVI – Edridge Clyne, 45, of St. Thomas, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced today for a brazen attempt to smuggle a substantial quantity of marijuana into the territory. District Court Judge Curtis V. Gomez handed down a six-month prison sentence, followed by six months of home confinement and two years of supervised release. The sentence comes after Clyne pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
The bust originated on February 5, 2016, when Clyne attempted to claim a hot water heater and freezer from Tropical Shipping. It wasn’t a new appliance warranty he should have been worried about, but the keen nose of a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) canine. The dog alerted officers to the presence of narcotics within the supposedly innocuous household goods.
A subsequent inspection revealed a meticulously concealed stash: a total of 24 kilograms of marijuana expertly hidden inside the hot water heater and freezer. The scheme, clearly intended to bypass standard security measures, ultimately failed, landing Clyne in hot water of his own making. United States Attorney Ronald W. Sharpe announced the sentencing, emphasizing the continued commitment to dismantling drug trafficking operations in the Virgin Islands.
The investigation, a collaborative effort between U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), CBP, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, painted a clear picture of Clyne’s intent. The plea agreement, filed February 25, 2015, detailed the circumstances surrounding the attempted importation. This wasn’t a simple possession case; the quantity of marijuana points to a clear intent to distribute, suggesting Clyne was looking to profit from the illegal trade.
Beyond the prison time and supervised release, Judge Gomez also ordered Clyne to pay a $100 special assessment – a standard penalty in federal cases – and to perform 400 hours of community service. This isn’t just about punishment; it’s about accountability, forcing Clyne to contribute to the community he attempted to harm with his criminal activity.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sigrid M. Tejo-Sprotte spearheaded the prosecution of the case, building a solid case based on the evidence gathered by the investigative agencies. This conviction serves as a warning to others considering similar schemes: law enforcement in the Virgin Islands, working with federal partners, are vigilant and will pursue those who seek to exploit the territory for illicit gains. The streets of St. Thomas are a little cleaner, and a dealer is off them, but the fight continues.
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Key Facts
- State: Virgin Islands
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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