Crime
Tip to Govt Officials Leads to Discovery of Illegal Migrants on Commercial Vessel
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.
#TurksandCaicos, April 15, 2024 – The recent aggravated robbery targeting a five-member household is undoubtedly distressing for both the victims and the community at large.
Superintendent (Division A) Willet Harvey said, “Around 11:21 pm yesterday (April 14th) evening, the Police Control Room received a report that four masked males, three of whom were armed, entered a residence at New Subdivision, Grand Turk, and proceeded to rob the occupants.
The armed suspects managed to flee the scene on foot and escaped.
“Following the report, officers were dispatched to the scene, conducted extensive searches and interviewed individuals. Based on the information received, we are actively pursuing several leads that will lead to arrests in the shortest possible time.
“The incident highlights the importance of remaining vigilant and proactively safeguarding homes and families. I advise people to enhance their home security by locking doors and windows when inside, investing in a CCTV system, and ensuring adequate outdoor lighting. Should you have any information on this burglary or illegal activities in Grand Turk, please call 946-2299. ”
The RTCIPF asks the public to notify the closest police station, contact 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477, and anonymously give any information on illegal activity.
Additionally, persons are encouraged to download the CrimeStoppers P3 app and share information.
Rashaed Esson
Staff Writer
#TrinidadandTobago, April 15, 2024 – Heinous crimes continue to plague the Caribbean region, the latest the beheading of a four year old girl in Trinidad on Tuesday April 9, leaving a deep sense of shock and sadness over her town, Fifth Street, Five Rivers, Arouca in the East-West Corridor of Trinidad and Tobago.
The little girl whose life was severely cut short is identified as Amarah Lallitte and her killer is reportedly her step-father.
Reports are saying he killed her between 10 pm Monday and Midnight Tuesday. Her mother Tricia Villaruel, 41, who filed a domestic disturbance report, expressed deep grief and disbelief at the fact that the stepfather, 39, would hurt her.
Villaruel reports the events before her daughter was killed. She recalls the stepfather acting strange which she said is unlike him. She
expressed that he was acting like he was schizophrenic, as if “he was a different person, and different personalities were talking to me that night.”
She said she left to get help from the police out of fear that he would harm her and going she tried to bring Amarah, who she highlights wasn’t coming.
“but she not coming. She was laughing like she thought we were playing so I had no choice.”
Following the mother’s report to the police, they went back to the house to find it locked up and in darkness. The officers called for the stepfather who came out calm with no blood on him. Villaruel was then told to get her daughter. It was at this time that she was found dead by her mother who screamed at the sight of her daughter’s headless body.
Her head was reportedly stashed in a barrel at the back of the house and her body in another room.
At the sight of the decapitated four year old, some officers were moved to tears according to Richard Smith, Senior Superintendent of Police, in reports.
In fact he says they may need counseling from the Victim and Support Unit and they were deeply affected, as would any human being.
The suspect was arrested and taken to the station for questioning.
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