Photo Credit: Melissa Edwards/BVI Platinum News

Photo Credit: Melissa Edwards/BVI Platinum News

Sol BVI is not the fuel company currently being investigated by the Customs Department for allegedly off-loading a shipment of fuel without authorization and supervision. This was confirmed by Deborah Benjamin, Country Manager for Sol Petroleum in the British Virgin Islands.

"What I have become aware of is only what I have read on the online news and it is not Sol," Benjamin confirmed.

BVI Platinum News also contacted Regional General Manager of Delta Petroleum, Bevis Sylvester, but he had no comment about the probe.

"I have nothing to say about that; speak to Customs," Sylvester stated.

Senior Government officials remain tight-lipped about the fuel company at the center of the massive ongoing investigation.

Director of Communications in the Premier's Office, Arlene T. Penn told BVI Platinum News that the Customs Department is investigating a local fuel company.

Penn said that the investigation relates to the partial off-loading of a shipment of fuel without the authorization and supervision of the Customs Department.

Several sources continue to confirm the name of the local company, but officials would not confirm or deny the name when questioned.

BVI Platinum News was told that the ship was anchored off the coast of Tortola in the Pockwood Pond area for some time.

Meanwhile, asked about the process, Benjamin said there is a strict system in place and recently, the Customs Department met with fuel companies.

"We have been involved in a number of meetings with Customs recently where they have indicated that they are simply going to be enforcing the rules that have always been in place from before. What they are simply requesting is that all the companies advise them ahead of time of the oil tankers coming in to discharge fuel so that they can prepare their team to witness the discharge of the fuel product. It is stipulated by them [Customs] that they need to be aware of when the vessels are coming in and we have always abided by that procedure, so it has not been an issue for us, but I think they are just tightening up on the procedures now," Benjamin explained.

More information will be provided as investigations continue.