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Crime

Tip to Govt Officials Leads to Discovery of Illegal Migrants on Commercial Vessel

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By Deandrea Hamilton & Dana Malcolm 

Editorial Staff

 

#TurksandCaicos, January 15, 2023 – It was an anonymous tip to TCI Authorities, Magnetic Media can inform, which led to a trade vessel being searched and 95 illegal migrants being taken into custody.  Information to the Ministry of Border Services proved credible and activated a joint law enforcement unit which foiled the illegal entry of the migrants and possibly other contraband.

A concerned citizen urgently passed on information that turned out to be scarily accurate, pinpointing a ship going by the name of FAMILY EXPRESS that would try to breach the island’s borders carrying migrants and reportedly other contraband.

A multi-agency team including the Ministry of Immigration and Border Services and Customs Departments, Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force and Turks and Caicos Islands Regiment, acted on the information early Christmas Morning.

Arlington Musgrove, Immigration and Border Services Minister said: “This is the latest operation in our intelligence-led focus on border-related crime.  My government remains committed to a clear zero tolerance approach as we continue to crack down, disrupt networks and prosecute persons involved in the smuggling of illegal migrants.”

The officers searched the commercial Haitian trade vessel ‘MV Family Express’ which had actually made it into and docked in the TCI;  just as described they found a total of 95 migrants on board who were immediately detained by the Immigration Department.

While our news organisation was informed of the successful capture and a deep search of the vessel on Christmas Day, to date no other information about whether or not illicit drugs and firearms had also been seized has been provided.

Now the government is working alongside agents from the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), stationed here in the Turks and Caicos Islands to investigate the vessel’s arrival.

Notably, the vessel was a commercial one, a beautiful white and black boat with the name proudly displayed on the sides, nothing like the small fast boats packed with people that usually try to sneak into the bushy uninhabited areas. The brazen attempt foiled by a good citizen raises serious questions about whether this was a one-off attempt or whether licensed commercial carriers are abusing their privileges to break immigration laws.

In a similar joint operation in November 2022, a shipment of illegal firearms from the United States to the Turks and Caicos Islands was intercepted by US Homeland Security.

Crime

Guilty Plea from Dock Yard Man arrested for Firearm, Ammo

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Turks and Caicos, February 7, 2025 – A 20-year-old Dock Yard male pleaded guilty to four charges today (January 31) following a
robbery which occurred in 2024. JAMES SIMON is expected to be sentenced on April 03rd, 2025, having been convicted for the following offences:

  • One Count Possession of Firearm
  •  One Count Possession of Ammunition
  • One Count Robbery
  • One Count using a Firearm in the Commission of a Serious Offence

Based on the evidence presented before the court, Mr. Simon was arrested on May 02, 2024, along South Dock Road, where he was found with an illegal firearm.

Acting Superintendent in charge of Crime, Safeguarding and Public Protection Grantley Williams said, “Given the prevalence of firearm-related incidents, the Force has successfully removed one more illegal firearm from our streets. I applaud my officers for their vigilance and
dedication to their duty. I urge the public to assist us by reporting illegal firearms—if you have any information, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

Please contact the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477, or you can also anonymously share information via the Crime Stoppers P3 app. Together, we can make the Turks and Caicos Islands safer.”

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Crime

Assault Charge

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***MEDIA RELEASE***

 

Turks and Caicos, February 05th, 2025 – A 50-year-old male will appear before the Grand Turk Magistrate’s Court on February 17, 20225, charged with one count: SEXUAL ASSAULT.

Officers of the Safeguarding and Public Protection Unit charged STEPHEN LYN following a report of sexual touching by a 13-year-old female victim.

The incident allegedly occurred on September 24, 2024.

Mr. Lyn is currently on $5000. bail.

 

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Crime

Threats to Police Officers

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***MEDIA RELEASE***

 

Turks and Caicos, February 3, 2025 – A 27-year-old male who threatened to shoot a police officer has been found guilty.

KARONNO MUNNINGS, of Kew Town, Providenciales, was ordered by the court on January 28, 2025, to pay a fine of $2000 or serve sixty days imprisonment.  Mr. Munnings was given until April 28th to pay the fine.

Evidence presented to the court revealed that on Monday, October 28, 2024, at around 9:30 p.m., a team of officers was conducting routine patrols along Pete Close, Kew Town, Providenciales.

While interviewing two individuals, Mr. Munnings approached a police officer and started issuing threats by stating, “I will shoot one of y’all in the head any day”.

Mr. Munnings was arrested and subsequently charged.

Following the verdict, Head of Crime, Safeguarding and Public Protection acting Superintendent Grantley Williams said, “The RT&CIPF welcomes the verdict.  Any threats of violence against police officers or law-abiding persons will be met with swift action.  We encourage respectful interactions with our officers to maintain public safety, especially while they are engaged in their duties.  Threats against the lives of police officers are a serious matter.  Officers uphold the law, and such utterances during our duty are unacceptable and will not be taken lightly.”

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