Twin brothers from Christiansted, convicted a decade ago for drug possession, were arrested Monday with tens of thousands of dollars in cocaine and marijuana, a machine gun and other contraband, according to the V.I. Police Department.
Wayne and Dwayne Dennis, both 31, were arrested during the execution of two federal search warrants at 159 Diamond Ruby and Carib Villas I in Christiansted.
The two brothers had been convicted of possession with intent to distributed controlled substances in 1999, according to a VIPD statement.
During the search at Diamond Ruby, authorities seized about 10 pounds of marijuana, 60 rounds of .40 caliber ammunition, and $1,400 in cash. The search at Carib Villas I turned up about a half-pound of cocaine, two handguns, one machine gun, a bulletproof vest, assorted ammunition and just over $1,000 in cash.
“The twins have eluded the criminal justice system for some time,” said V.I. Police Commissioner Novelle Francis in a statement. “When you look at the guns and drugs confiscated … I can only conclude that the community would be better off when they are behind bars,” he said.
Both brothers had their initial hearing Monday afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge George Cannon. The Dennis brothers were later transported to the Golden Grove Adult Correctional Facility pending trial.
In addition to VIPD officers, other agencies involved in the arrest included the FBI, Homeland Security working jointly with the VIPD’s Territorial Anti-Gang Intervention Task Force, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the V.I. Port Authority.
