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Commissioner of Police Statement – (October 26th, 2022)

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#TurksandCaicos, October 26, 2022 – Good afternoon Turks and Caicos, it’s Wednesday 26th October 2022 and I am here to update you a series of exercises which were conducted within the last week.

Policing operations have been undertaken by teams comprising of Officers from the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force and our colleagues from the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

I remain grateful to the Commissioner of Police for the Royal Bahamas Police Force Mr. Clayton Fernander and the Bahamian Government for their continued support to the Turks and Caicos Islands. Our Bahamian colleagues are working side by side with local officers, tackling criminality and criminals. Our combined team remain relentless in pursuing those who carry firearms, those who deal in drugs, those who are seeking to commit robberies and burglaries and those that are causing fear and harm.

If you are involved in crime, don’t think our operations will be stopping anytime soon. If you have a family member involved in crime, expect officers to be at your door, expect them to be in your house. Criminals cannot hide amongst family and families cannot hide criminals.

Officers on the ground continue to be supported through our aerial colleagues from US Law Enforcement and UK Royal Nay Wildcat helicopter. These support mechanisms are protecting the border of the TCI, which includes the routes frequented by criminals traversing the TCI by illegally entering and leaving. We have strong collaborative relationships with our US colleagues and I anticipate that their support will continue into the future hovering in the TCI skies.

In terms of investigations, it is expected that a large number of investigators will be arriving from the UK and funded by the UK Government. These officers will support our local investigation teams, ensuring the results of their hard work is supported by robust and thorough investigations, thereby  causing criminals face the full force of the law.

In terms of operations, the last week has been a major success. A mixture of both visible and covert operations have been carried out. All of which was intelligence led targeting criminals.

An operational summary from the last 10 days are as follows:

  • 205 vehicles have been checked;
  • Numerous fixed penalty tickets issued;
  • Illegal tints removed from 23 vehicles;
  • 20 Drug searches;
  • Eight persons detained under Immigration Legalization;
  • Four warrants executed in relations to searches for firearms;
  • Two firearms and ammunition seized;
  • Large quantity of drugs seized including cannabis, cocaine and amphetamines;
  • Seven persons arrested for drugs and firearms offences and
  • Laptops and cell phones seized for examination
  • Joint Police and Immigration operation resulted in the detention of 21 people believed to be working illegally

The last ten days has seen very little criminal activity and we are working hard to keep it that way.

I can report that earlier this morning (Wednesday 26th October,2022) a report was made of an attempted robbery in the South Dock area. The people involved escaped from the suspects without being robbed or harmed and this is under  investigation.

Additionally, this week, the RTCIPF is also investigating a shooting incident in Kew Town which resulted in one man being injured. The circumstances of this incident are not yet clear. The RTCIPF are building a strong, intelligence network concerning criminal activity and I wish to recognise the overall support that we are receiving from the public, both in terms of your public gratitude for the hard work undertaken by the officers and the information that we are being provided with.

I especially want to mention the generous tokens of thanks from local businesses. Never underestimate how deeply the support from our community is felt by the Force.

We truly appreciate building collaborative efforts within our communities, which is a critical factor in ensuring the TCI is a safe and secure place to live, work, invest and visit.

You will be aware that the recent Gun Amnesty has concluded. No weapons were surrendered, which is disappointing. However, the Amnesty provided persons with a route to hand over illegal weapons without any threat of prosecution. That opportunity has now passed.

Any person found in possession of a firearm will now face the full force of the sentencing powers of our judges.

Furthermore, progress has been made on the legislative front with the introduction of stricter penalties and amendments, which will greatly aid in the fight against crime.

The House of Assembly last week passed various national security legislation, to deter criminals -by increasing sentences for persons found in possession of firearms and ammunition- and aid the police force in its duties.

Criminals, should you be in possession of a firearm or ammunition on the TCI, there is a high percentage you will spend a large part of your life jailed.

Additional legislation passed which will aid the fight against crime include: Firearms (Amendment) Bill; Police Force (Amendment) Bill; Interception of Communications Bill; Anti-Gang Bill and the Firearms Related Offences (Detention and Bail) (Amendment) Bill.

You will continue to see officers on the road, undertaking checks on vehicles, armed officers carrying out operations to neutralize criminals, 24-hour air support aiding our operational teams and keeping our borders safe and secure. I urge you again to get your number plates fitted and remove your illegal tints. We will continue to target vehicles. If you refuse to comply then fixed penalty notice will be likely issued.

Please keep supporting our officers who are working day and night to protect you. Please keep telling us what you know, I assure you the information is making a real difference. And finally, please know that we remain determined, resolute and committed to keeping the TCI safe and secure.

The RTCIPF remains adamant on stifling the ease of access of illegal firearms and ammunition in our communities.

I will aim to keep you updated regularly with what we are doing to keep you safe and the results of policing activities.

Thank you and may God bless you and these beautiful by nature Turks and Caicos Islands.

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Crown Land Unit Leads Multi-Agency Enforcement Exercise in Five Cays

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Wednesday, 21st October 2026: The Crown Land Unit, with coordination and support from the Informal Settlements Unit (ISU), conducted a multi-agency enforcement exercise in the Five Cays area of Providenciales on October 8, 2026, as part of the Government’s ongoing efforts to address the illegal occupation and unauthorized use of Crown land.

The exercise brought together representatives from the Crown Land Unit, ISU, TCI Border Force and Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force. Inspections were conducted across several parcels of Crown land in Five Cays, where instances of illegal occupation and unauthorized use had been identified.

During the exercise, a total of seven (7) Section 22 Notices of Unauthorized Occupation were issued in accordance with the provisions of the Crown Land Ordinance. The notices related to the unauthorized placement of shipping containers and derelict vehicles, as well as the construction of an incomplete concrete structure on Crown land. Where occupants or other responsible persons were not present, notices were affixed to the relevant structures or items.

The exercise forms part of the Crown Land Unit’s continuing efforts to prevent squatting and encroachment on Crown land and to ensure that instances of unauthorized occupation are identified and appropriately addressed.

The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands reminds the public that occupying, developing or otherwise using Crown land without lawful authority is an offence under the Crown Land Ordinance. These inspections and enforcement activities form part of a sustained program aimed at safeguarding public lands, discouraging unlawful development and ensuring that Crown land is managed in the best interests of the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The Crown Land Unit will continue to work closely with the ISU and other partner agencies to identify and address instances of illegal occupation across the Islands. Persons occupying Crown land without authorization are encouraged to comply with all notices issued and to seek guidance from the relevant authorities where necessary.

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Invest TCI Strengthens Regional Investment Connections at Caribbean Investment Forum 2026 in Barbados

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Monday, 19th October 2026: Invest Turks and Caicos Agency (Invest TCI) strengthened its regional presence at the Caribbean Investment Forum (CIF) 2026, held October 5 – 7, 2026, in Bridgetown, Barbados, participating as both a sponsor of the Forum and representative of the Turks and Caicos Islands’ investment landscape.

The Caribbean Investment Forum brought together regional and international investors, government representatives, business leaders, entrepreneurs, investment promotion agencies, and development partners to explore investment opportunities, strengthen partnerships, and advance sustainable economic development throughout the Caribbean.

The Agency’s sponsorship of CIF 2026 formed part of its continued commitment to strengthening the visibility of the Turks and Caicos Islands within the regional investment community and building relationships with investors, development partners, investment promotion agencies, and businesses across the Caribbean.

The opening of the Forum was attended by the Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados, who emphasised the importance of scaling regional investment, strengthening economic cooperation, and transforming innovative ideas into commercially viable opportunities. Invest TCI was represented by Ms. Alexa Cooper, Domestic Investment Officer, and Mr. Hezron Henry, Marketing Support Officer. Throughout the Forum, the delegation engaged with stakeholders and promoted the Turks and Caicos Islands as a competitive investment destination while exploring opportunities for greater regional collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Speaking on her experience at the Forum, Ms. Alexa Cooper, Chief Domestic Investment Officer, said:

“CIF 2026 provided another valuable opportunity to engage with donor organisations, investors and Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) from across the Caribbean. A highlight for me was the introduction of an exclusive masterclass for fund managers, investors and support organisations, which offered practical insights into unlocking capital, strengthening investment ecosystems and supporting investment-ready businesses. I was equally impressed with the quality of projects pitched, which showcased the region’s innovation and investment potential. It was encouraging to see projects presented with a clearer understanding of investor expectations, reinforcing the importance of not simply developing projects, but ensuring they are well-structured, investment-ready and positioned to attract the right investment partners.”

Accompanying the Invest TCI delegation was Mr. Sean Penn, Chief Executive Officer of Sky Poultry Farm Ltd., the first commercial egg and poultry production facility in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Mr. Penn’s participation provided an opportunity to showcase the development of domestic enterprise within the Turks and Caicos Islands while highlighting the potential of agriculture and food production as part of the country’s broader economic diversification efforts.

Through his participation at CIF 2026, Mr. Penn had the opportunity to engage with regional stakeholders, gain exposure to developments within the Caribbean agricultural sector, and explore potential partnerships and opportunities related to agricultural investment, innovation, and enterprise development.

For Invest TCI, the combination of sponsorship, investment promotion and local business representation provided a multifaceted platform to advance the Agency’s mandate. It allowed Invest TCI not only to promote the Turks and Caicos Islands to prospective investors but also to facilitate greater exposure for a local enterprise operating within an emerging sector of the economy. The Forum also provided opportunities for the Invest TCI delegation to exchange knowledge with regional counterparts, strengthen institutional relationships, and gain insight into investment trends and opportunities affecting Caribbean economies.

As the Caribbean Investment Forum continues to expand its regional reach, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, was announced as the destination for the next edition of the Forum, providing another opportunity to bring together investors, policymakers, investment promotion agencies and businesses from across the Caribbean and beyond.

Invest TCI looks forward to the continued growth of the Caribbean Investment Forum and the opportunities it creates to deepen regional partnerships, promote investment, and connect Caribbean businesses with new markets and sources of capital. The Agency remains committed to attracting sustainable investment, supporting domestic enterprise, encouraging economic diversification, and developing partnerships that contribute to the long-term economic development of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

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Bahamas News

Energy Minister Delivers Electrifying Keynote Opening Address at CAREC 2026  

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NASSAU, The Bahamas – The Bahamas’ Minister of Energy, Utilities and Aviation, The Honourable JoBeth Coleby-Davis, delivered an electrifying address during the opening ceremony of the 2026 CARILEC Resilient/Renewable Energy Community (CAREC) Conference and Exhibition, being held October 18–22, 2026, at the British Colonial Hotel in Nassau, The Bahamas.

Under the theme “Empowering Progress: Strategic Policy and Planning for the Energy Transition,” the event draws more than 200 industry leaders, policymakers, regulators, and energy professionals committed to advancing practical strategies for sustainable and reliable Caribbean power systems through renewable energy and emerging technologies.

During her address, titled “The New Energy Era: Transforming Policy into Progress,” Minister Coleby-Davis reminded attendees that The Bahamas’ national motto, “Forward, Upward, Onward, Together,” aptly describes what the region’s energy transition demands.

“Empowering Progress speaks directly to our national motto. Not waiting for progress, but creating the conditions that allow progress to happen. Meaningful progress, however, does not occur by accident. It requires vision, sound policy, strategic planning, strong institutions, and the determination to turn decisions into results,” said Minister Coleby-Davis.

Participants acknowledged that small island developing states share similar pressures, compounded by geographical challenges, small electricity markets, ageing infrastructure, geopolitical influences, and the growing threat of severe weather.

Tasked with ushering in a new energy era across the islands while addressing the challenges posed by The Bahamas’ unique archipelagic composition, Minister Coleby-Davis said, “Every island needs a different answer, but the same logic. As an archipelagic nation, we must provide electricity across many islands, each with its own demand and infrastructure needs. Our strategy, therefore, must be national in direction, but responsive to individual communities.”

Restating her Ministry’s three core messages—that energy is an economic and security priority, technology must be viewed as a tool to support strong institutional leadership, and natural gas should be considered a bridge, not a destination—Minister Coleby-Davis reiterated that “progress must now be reflected in functioning infrastructure, effective institutions, and better electricity services: from policy commitments to coordinated implementation, and from fragmented investment decisions to long-term planning.”

Organised by CARILEC and co-hosted by Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) and Grand Bahama Power Company (GBPC), the annual Conference and Exhibition brings together the Caribbean energy community to advance practical solutions to the region’s most pressing energy challenges and accelerate progress towards more resilient, reliable, and sustainable power systems.

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