“OPERATION PURSUIT”  (June 08th and June  09th ) Status Updates

#TurksandCaicos, June 12, 2023 – The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), the Border Force, and the Inland Revenue Department conducted early morning operations today (June 09^th) and yesterday (June 08^th).

During operations today, THREE persons were detained for immigration purposes, THREE vehicles were towed for not having insurance, and SIX tickets were issued for unlicensed vehicles.

Additionally, checks were conducted on ELEVEN business establishments, TWO of which were warned for selling alcohol without a Liquor License, and FOUR received warnings for not displaying their Business License. THREE establishments had items seized for PROHIBITED and RESTRICTED items.

On June 08^th, operations targeted Granny Hill and the Wells area of Five Cays, Providenciales.

Part of this initial operation was in response to the June 07^th,  murder on South Dock Road. Having received information, officers followed several leads looking for the vehicle used in the commission of the murder and other serious offences.

The result of the operation is as follows:

The Wells district – Three businesses were inspected (Two Retail/Wholesale and One Restaurant)

1. ONE Delivery Food Service was served a Closure Notice for failure to comply with health regulations;
2. Goods (EIGHT cases of alcohol) were seized. The owner did not have a Liquor License displayed and was unable to provide such.

The Granny Hill district – SIX businesses were inspected (FIVE Retail/Wholesale and ONE Restaurant/Café)

1. Goods (TWO cases of alcohol) were seized. The owner did not have a Liquor License displayed and was unable to provide such. The most recent Liquor License presented showed an expiration date of December 31, 2021)

Superintendent (Community Policing and Divisions) Dwight Gardiner thanked all agencies involved in Operation Pursuit for their dedication and commitment to enforcing the laws. Additionally, Supt. Gardiner wishes to thank members of the public for their continued support and patience during the operations and further urged members of the public to comply with the laws of the TCI.

Operation Pursuit involves a Multi-Agency operational framework, designed to locate, identify, and process persons engaged in ALL illegal activities within the TCI. These operations entail a collaborative effort from all our essential partners at the re-established Turks Caicos Islands Joint Law Enforcement Group (J-LEG).