TCI: Caught unaware! New Regiment arrests 15 illegals hid-out in Provo Bushes

#TurksandCaicos, July 29, 2021 – Governor Nigel Dakin is back and is reporting that the 40 recruits which make up the TCI regiment are nearing the end of their initial basic training. 

The group which includes eight women and recruits from the islands of North Caicos, Providenciales and Grand Turk were thrust into action unexpectedly and the Governor is pleased with the intervention; even if it was only stumbled upon. 

Nigel Dakin on Instagram posted:  “…15 illegal migrants who had been landed some time previously – were hidden in the bush – and were awaiting collection by criminals that facilitate this trade.”

He explained that, “A field exercise over the last two days, designed to train and test on their two key missions: support to the Territory during natural disaster (images two to four) and; support to the Police in counter illegal migration efforts, took an unexpected and successful operational twist.

A patrol base established as part of the exercise identified not participants in the exercise playing the “part” of illegal migrants to “test” what the recruits had learned but the real deal.”

That real deal led to at least 15 illegal migrants being arrested; all a part of a people smuggling operation.

“What they quickly identified was not participants in the exercise but 15 illegal migrants who had been landed some time previously – were hidden in the bush – and were awaiting collection by criminals that facilitate this trade.

Creole language skill in the Regiment helped get an understanding of the situation. Ensuring not only their security, but also safety, they were rapidly handed over to the Police; exactly as trained.”

A shocking admission, but not surprising as TCI has in recent years arrested, tried and secured convictions for individuals who are in the territory steering people and contraband smuggling operations from embattled Haiti; a cost to the TCI taxpayer projected at well over $2 million this fiscal year. 

“From dawn, clearance patrols identified a significant quantity of drugs which again was handed to the Police.  An immediate vindication of the utility of the Regiment; of the wide applicability of the basic training they have received (previous post); of the quality of our new recruits and; the initiative and commitment of those we have selected.”

The Governor called it a significant quantity.  Governor Dakin also took the opportunity to highlight that even before the volunteers officially begin work as the first military training unit, they are a working benefit to the Turks and Caicos.

The Governor, as part of his assignments upon return from a well-earned holiday, said:  “You can imagine the levels of morale when I visited today; they joined the Regiment to serve – and to make a difference – and that’s exactly what they are now doing.”

The recruits will no doubt be further lauded in a passing out parade this coming Saturday.

The 40 new recruits of the TCI Regiment were on a camp out training exercise when it was discovered that there were illegal people hid out in the bushes.  The marines, in this first deployment were able to capture ten Haitians on Monday night; with the support of Police and Border Force officers, that number grew to 15. 

The Marine Branch of the Royal TCI Police informed in a media statement today of a separate sighting: that illegal migrants were spotted walking the beach in Northwest Provo. 

The statement on Wednesday informed that one arrest was made as a result of the report and that this budget year, repatriation expenses for the TCI have been set at over $2.4 million; nearly one million of that money has already been spent.