The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) is investigating a significant drug interception in the early hours of Tuesday morning (December 31st).
Shortly after 3:00 AM, the Radar Operations Center alerted the Marine Branch to a suspicious vessel at sea three miles off Providenciales.
Responding swiftly to the coordinates, RT&CIPF officers and the TCI Regiment and Border Force located a blue boat equipped with two outboard engines. Upon initiating a pursuit, individuals aboard the vessel were observed discarding packages into the ocean.
After retrieving the discarded items, the packages were examined and weighed. The suspected cannabis totalled 182.02 pounds, distributed across 38 packages, with an estimated street value of EIGHT HUNDRED and TWENTY-SIX THOUSAND, FOUR HUNDRED and FORTY DOLLARS ($826,440.00).
The Anti-Gang and Drug Unit is actively investigating this matter thoroughly. No arrests have been made at this time, and the vessel remains unidentified.
Assistant Commissioner (ag) Dwight Gardiner commended the swift and coordinated efforts of the Radar Operations Center, Marine Branch, TCI Regiment and Border Force, emphasizing the RTCIPF’s commitment to combatting illicit drug activities in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The RTCIPF urges anyone with information about this incident to contact the closest police station, 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 to anonymously provide any information on illegal activities.
Additionally, individuals are encouraged to download the Crime Stoppers P3 app to share information.