NEW: TCI Operation Pursuit to Crack Down on People Smuggling

By Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

#TurksandCaicos, May 5, 2023 – The Turks and Caicos has created a new campaign to go after those who facilitate human trafficking in-country; ‘Operation Pursuit’ is the name of the new multi-agency framework that will work on land and at sea to reduce smuggling. The new undertaking was the result of an extraordinary meeting of the National Security Council, called out of concern over the increasing number of migrants heading to the Turks and Caicos in an attempt to breach its borders illegally.

Operation Pursuit will not only focus on interdictions at sea but dismantle land based operations that provide a haven for the irregular migrants in the country. The focus will be on undocumented migrants, business, and liquor license premises, construction sites, and road traffic offenders. In addition, strengthened intelligence gathering, surveillance and air surveillance is planned.

The National Security Council says this operation will locate, identify, and process persons involved in transnational and organised crime, and gather and share intelligence with local and international partners.

The migrants are arriving on both small fast boats under the cover of night and inconspicuous trade vessels abusing their legal right to enter the country. Desperation resulting from the continued decline of the humanitarian situation in Haiti, has pushed more migrants to the Turks and Caicos than police have recorded in years, over 1600 in the first four months of 2023.

The meeting was attended by top country officials including Anya Williams, Acting Governor, Washington Misick, TCI Premier,  Rhondalee Braithwaite Knowles, Attorney General, and senior security leaders.