ST. THOMAS — V.I.P.D. Special Operations Bureau and Intel Unit on Wednesday conducted several operations in St. Thomas that resulted in the confiscation of multiple high-powered firearms, a radio scanner, ammunition among other weapons.

The effort began with surveillance in the area of Bovoni, in the vicinity of Gasworks Service Station and Convenience Store. During the operation, officers made contact with 29-year-old Liz Brian who refused to comply with the orders of the officers on the scene. Officers took Brain into custody using less lethal force after he tried to evade the officers in an attempt to leave the vicinity.

Once detained, officers discovered that Brian was in possession of a machine gun with a 50-round drum attached. It was also discovered that Brian was in possession of a Glock 26 – 9MM handgun in the glove box of his vehicle with several extended magazines loaded to capacity with bullets.

Liz Brian was placed under arrest for delaying and obstructing and possession of an unlicensed Firearm. He was then taken to the Richard Callwood Command where he was booked, processed and remanded to the VI Bureau of Corrections pending his advisement hearing set for today.

Also on Wednesday at approximately 9:20 p.m., officers of the Operation Over Watch Task Force, a V.I.P.D.-led Anti-Violent Crime Operation, received information from the V.I. Police Department’s Intelligence Unit that a heavily tinted Acura TSX with a tinted license plate cover left the area of Gas Works and was traveling west towards the Bolongo Bay area.

Officers were in the area and initiated a traffic stop of a vehicle that fit the description of the details provided by the Intelligence Unit.

The driver, who was later identified as 29-year-old Michael Frett, was instructed several times to put his vehicle in park and remove the keys from the ignition. Officers observed that Frett constantly moved around in the vehicle, so they ordered him to step out followed by a pat down for safety. Frett admitted to officers that he was in possession of half an ounce of marijuana after being asked.

Officers also detected a strong odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle. Frett’s vehicle was searched, and two clear sandwich bags containing marijuana and several small plastic containers packaged for sale with additional marijuana were found in the vehicle.

Michael Frett was placed under arrest for possession with intent to distribute, and was transported to the Richard Callwood Command where he was booked and processed and remanded to the VI Bureau of Corrections pending his advisement. 

In another operation Wednesday night at about 9:46 p.m., members of the Operation Over Watch Task Force were patrolling the area of the Elmo D. Roebuck Sr. Drive. Officers observed a silver Toyota Camry with a heavily tinted license plate.

Officers initiated a traffic stop and ordered the operator of the vehicle to exit with his driver’s license, registration and insurance. Officers identified the operator of the vehicle as 33-year-old Lashorn Samuel, a known felon. Samuel was patted down for officer safety, and two Glock .40 cal. magazines with the capacity to hold 15 rounds in each magazine and a small clear bag containing a green leafy substance later identified as marijuana were discovered in Samuel’s front left pant pocket.

Officers then approached the vehicle to determine whether other occupants were in the vehicle. Though no other individuals occupied the vehicle, officers detected a strong odor of what appeared to be marijuana emanating from inside. A search of the vehicle revealed a radio scanner and a Glock .40 handgun under the driver’s seat.

Samuel was placed under arrest for unauthorized possession of a firearm and was taken to the Richard Callwood Command where he was booked, processed and remanded to the VI Bureau of Corrections pending his advisement hearing scheduled for today.

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