Aslyn Thomas, a 45-year-old employee of the Cyril E. King Airport in St. Thomas, was arrested on 10 February 2024, for possessing with intent to distribute three kilograms of cocaine, according to U.S. Attorney Adam F. Sleeper. The arrest took place at the airport, where Thomas had been working, and was the result of a joint investigation by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Virgin Islands Police Department. Thomas, a resident of St. Thomas, is currently being held without bail at the Bureau of Corrections facility in St. Thomas, pending a preliminary hearing scheduled for 17 February 2024.
The investigation, which began on 5 February 2024, revealed that Thomas had been using his position at the airport to smuggle cocaine onto the island. According to court documents, Thomas was found to be in possession of three kilograms of cocaine, with a street value of approximately $90,000. The cocaine was discovered during a search of Thomas's person and belongings, which was conducted by law enforcement officials after they received a tip about suspicious activity. The search was carried out at 10:45am on 10 February 2024, and Thomas was taken into custody shortly thereafter.
The arrest of Aslyn Thomas is the latest in a series of incidents involving airport employees and cocaine smuggling in the US Virgin Islands. In 2022, two employees of the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport in St. Croix were arrested for possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and in 2020, a former employee of the Cyril E. King Airport was sentenced to 10 years in prison for smuggling cocaine onto the island. The incidents have raised concerns about the security and integrity of the islands' airports, and have prompted calls for increased scrutiny and oversight of airport employees. According to U.S. Attorney Adam F. Sleeper, the investigation into Thomas's activities is ongoing, and additional charges may be filed in the coming weeks.
The reaction to Thomas's arrest has been swift and decisive, with officials from the US Virgin Islands government and the airport authority condemning the incident and promising to take steps to prevent similar incidents in the future. In a statement released on 11 February 2024, Governor Albert Bryan Jr. said that the arrest was a "serious breach of trust" and that his administration would work to ensure that those responsible are held accountable. The airport authority has also announced that it will be conducting an internal investigation into the incident, and will be reviewing its security protocols to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
The implications of Thomas's arrest are far-reaching, and have significant implications for the security and integrity of the US Virgin Islands' airports. The incident has raised concerns about the potential for corruption and smuggling among airport employees, and has highlighted the need for increased scrutiny and oversight of these individuals. According to experts, the arrest of Thomas is likely to lead to increased security measures at the islands' airports, including more frequent background checks and screenings of employees. The incident has also raised questions about the effectiveness of the islands' law enforcement agencies, and has prompted calls for increased resources and support to be devoted to combating drug trafficking and corruption.
As the investigation into Aslyn Thomas's activities continues, officials from the US Virgin Islands government and the airport authority are working to determine the full extent of the incident and to identify any potential accomplices or co-conspirators. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Ortiz
