Officers of the Royal Turks & Caicos Islands Police Force and Customs Department have detected a significant amount of Cannabis and Cocaine hidden onboard motor vessel Luchador that originated out of Haiti. Lissia Henry (31 years old) of Haiti who was M/V Luchador’s mechanic was formally charged for the offence of Attempted Fraudulent Evasion, Possession of Controlled drugs with Intent to Supply namely cocaine and Possession of Controlled drugs with Intent to Supply namely cannabis. On Tuesday July 2, 2013 Henry pled guilty to all of the charges laid against him, which related to an incident at the dock at Grand Turk on Wednesday June 26, 2013.
RTCIPF Commissioner Colin Farquhar today commended Police and Custom officers for the swift and professional method in which the case was wrapped up. “I am extremely pleased with the hard work and dedication displayed. The search of this vessel was arduous. Ass’t Supt. Clifford Henry displayed great leadership and the search team displayed great tenacity,” Commissioner Farquhar said.
Commissioner Farquhar’s comments were made after Lissia Henry entered Guilty Pleas to the charges. Henry was given custodial sentences of 16 months, 14 months, and 12 months respectively to run concurrently in Her Majesty’s Prison in Grand Turk; with deportation being recommended upon completion of his sentence.
There are currently a number of persons charged and awaiting trial for other drug related offences. Commissioner Farquhar took the opportunity to warn drug traffickers that the Police and the Customs Department are working in partnership to combat drug trafficking in the Turks & Caicos Islands.