Kai James Pleads Guilty in Drug Trafficking Conspiracy Using St. Croix Airport

James admitted to conspiracy charges involving cocaine smuggling, with operations centered at the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport and ties to his brother’s criminal network.

Kai James, described as a key figure in a transnational drug trafficking conspiracy operating in the U.S. Virgin Islands, has formally pleaded guilty on Thursday to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, according to court documents filed in January 2025. This development marks another milestone in the federal government's ongoing investigation of a wide-reaching criminal network allegedly spearheaded by Ivan James, Kai’s brother, who was sentenced to 35 years in December 2024.

Under the terms of the plea agreement, Kai James admitted to conspiring with others to distribute cocaine and marijuana over an extended period. As outlined in court filings, the conspiracy leveraged the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on St. Croix as a key hub for smuggling narcotics into the mainland United States. Co-conspirators used their positions and security clearances to facilitate the transportation of illicit substances, with Kai James allegedly playing a critical logistical role.