Yet another attempt by migrants to enter the Turks and Caicos illegally, was stopped by officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force ( Marine Branch) last night (January 21st).
The illegal migrants, believed to be Haitian nationals, were detained around 10.20 pm following information received from the Coastal Radar Station.
Based on initial reports, Marine Branch officers intercepted a Haitian migrant vessel south of West Bluff, Providenciales. The blue wooden vessel was 38ft in length and powered by two outboard engines.
The illegal vessel was safely towed to South Dock, where a total of ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY (130) migrants -109 males and 21 females- were handed over to the Immigration Task Force. The vessel was handed over to Customs officials.
For the year thus far FOUR illegal vessels (including January 22) transporting FOUR HUNDRED AND EIGHTEEN (418) have been intercepted by the Marine Branch.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Rodney Adams briefly commenting on this latest interception said: “The entry of illegal migrants puts the TCI at risk. Our Marine Branch along with other law enforcement partners have been doing a stellar job protecting our borders. Despite this, we still need the continued assistance of the public. I wish to remind any member of the public who engages in harbouring illegal migrants and participating in this activity to assist in their movement to desist. You are putting the population at risk.
“ Boatmen who want to transact this illegal business, you are breaking the law by crossing the borders and harbouring illegal migrants. We will be taking the necessary actions within the confines of the law, with respect to persons engaged in this activity.”
The public is being advised to notify the closest police station or to contact Crime Stoppers and give any information about illegal activity anonymously.
Please note that Crime Stoppers calls are answered in Miami and Houston by Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers, a non-profit and not a police agency.
The calls are anonymous and cannot be traced in the United States or the TCI.