TCI Police – Illegal Migrants Makes Landfall

#Providenciales, August 26, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – On Sunday, August 25th, 2019, at 11:23 p.m., Officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Marine Branch responded to information from Radar Station Officials that they were tracking a target, four miles from the Caicos Marina Shipyard.

Upon approach to the said area, Officers saw a blue and red illegal vessel about 32ft in length with two (2) 60hp Yamaha engines. Despite instructions to stop, the Captain of the illegal vessel refused and continued in the direction of the shoreline. A second attempt by the Marine Branch to detour the boat however, the Captain of the vessel did not stop.

Occupants of the boat were seen standing inside of the vessel, with a male with a black mask covering his face and a knife in hand. The illegal vessel eventually made landfall in the Cooper Jack area. Persons were seen jumping off the vessel into the water.

The number of persons captured at this time is unknown. There were no shots fired or injuries reported.

For more Information, contact the Ministry of Immigration.

Release: TCI Police