Accused paedophile Jeffrey Epstein's private Caribbean island raided by FBI
FBI agents have raided Jeffrey Epstein's private Caribbean island as sex trafficking investigations into the dead billionaire escalate.
US investigators landed at Little St James in the US Virgin Islands by boat yesterday, two days after the accused paedophile was found dead in his Manhattan prison cell in an apparent suicide, reports the Washington Examiner.
FBI and US Customs and Border Protection agents drove golf carts around the lavish estate while others in scuba gear appeared to search the surrounding waters.
US federal agents have raided Little St James, the private island of Jeffrey Epstein in the US Virgin Islands. PA/AAP
Epstein was found dead in his cell on the weekend. A Current Affair
"Yes, we're on the island," an FBI spokesman told US media outlets.
"But we can't provide any further detail unfortunately."
Epstein was accused of paying underage girls hundreds of dollars in cash for massages and then sexually abusing them at various locations.
He hobnobbed with the rich, famous and influential, including presidents and a prince. His friends had once included Britain's Prince Andrew, former US president Bill Clinton and President Donald Trump.
Jeffrey Epstein is alleged to have hosted underage girls on his private estate. PA/AAP
Alleged victims of Epstein claim sex parties with underage girls were held on the island.
Former employees of the business tycoon say he flew young women to the gateway US Virgin Islands isle of St Thomas.
They were then ferried to Little St James aboard his boat called the 'Lady Ghislane", named after his socialite girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell.
His young female guests would stay with him at his estate for up to four or five days, locals said.
Epstein insisted on a high level of privacy on his private island, former employees say. PA/AAP
A former Virgin Islands air traffic controller told Vanity Fair: "On multiple occasions I saw Epstein exit his helicopter, stand on the tarmac in full view of my tower, and board his private jet with children—female children. One incident in particular really stands out in my mind, because the girls were just so young. They couldn't have been over 16."
Financier Epstein was a regular visitor to the 30-hectare Little St James, which he bought for USD$7.95 million (AUD$11.8 m) in 1998.
Locals say he spent lavishly on his island getaway, improving roads, planting towering palms and building several villas and a temple.
A general view of the Manhattan Correctional Center where the US financier Jeffrey Epstein was found dead in New York. Getty
Epstein insisted on a high level of privacy at his estate, a former employee told Bloomberg.
There was a high degree of secrecy around a steel safe in the billionaire's office that suggested it contained more than just money. Apart from of an occasional visit by a housekeeper, no one was allowed in the room.
A former employee of Epstein say guests included Victoria's Secret billionaire Les Wexner and models from the iconic fashion house.
Jeffrey Epsteins Upper East Side townhouse in New York. PA/AAP
Besides Little St James, he also owned a Manhattan mansion, Florida estate and a ranch in New Mexico.
US authorities said Epstein was found unresponsive in his cell in the Metropolitan Correctional Centre on Saturday.
Staff tried to revive him, and he was transported to a local hospital for treatment. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.
US Attorney-General William Barr said he was "appalled" by the news.
With AP
Share a tip-off, video or photo with us
