Marijuana and other items tossed onto prison grounds

Police were called to His Majesty’s Prison in Balsam Ghut last week to investigate an incident in which a man allegedly threw a bag containing contraband over the facility’s perimeter fence.

According to information obtained by BVI News, the bag reportedly contained marijuana and tobacco, though the exact quantities remain unknown. Other unspecified items were also found in the bag.

Prison authorities reportedly discovered the items after observing a man lying in the bushes on the opposite side of the prison fence. Police were notified and, following initial investigations, detained a man from the West End community. His age has not been disclosed.

The man reportedly denied throwing the bag over the fence. He was later released from custody, and there have been no reports of charges being filed.

It remains unclear whether the person responsible for tossing the items has been identified, or who within the prison the contraband may have been intended for.

The incident comes as the government continues efforts to bolster security at the facility. In 2024, the United Kingdom provided a special funding package aimed at improving safety, security, and staff protection at the prison.