A Hannah’s Rest home searched on Oct. 13 in connection with a federal drug trafficking case caught fire late Monday.
According to St. Croix Fire Chief Roberto Santos, the lower section of 10 Hannah’s Rest that contained a "library" was completely destroyed in a fire that started at approximately 10 p.m. Monday. The home is owned by Tomas Melendez Sr. A past resident, Santos said, is Tomas Melendez Jr., who is currently in federal custody on charges of conspiracy to launder drug money.
Santos said the V.I. Fire Service and the V.I. Police Department are conducting a joint investigation into the cause of the fire.
Tomas Melendez Jr, 40, a pilot and boat owner, is being held without bail because federal prosecutors believe he would try to flee if placed on house arrest. While law enforcement officers seized a boat during the Oct. 13 search, a second boat and an airplane are unaccounted for, according to federal prosecutors.
Melendez turned himself in last week and subsequently arrested for allegedly trafficking cocaine from Colombia to St. Martin and then transporting drug proceeds to Puerto Rico. According to the FBI, Melendez and another individual made a total of six trips involving approximately $2 million.
