More Police Boats, Premier says $4 Million in spending

Dana Malcolm 

Staff Writer 

#TurksandCaicos, December 5, 2023 – New marine vessels will be handed over to the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force following the cabinet-awarded tender to purchase the much-needed boats. The tender was approved on October 11 during a cabinet meeting.

Washington Missick, TCI Premier had revealed the government was spending upwards of $4 million on the vessels to outfit the marine branch. It comes as a record number of illegal migrant interceptions are recorded in 2023 as The humanitarian crisis in Haiti worsens.

In tandem with the interceptions two concerning trends are being recorded, repeat voyages and drug trafficking.

Several irregular migrants have appeared before the country’s court system admitting to multiple attempts to re-enter the Turks and Caicos after deportation. Migrants have admitted up to four successful attempts to breach the country.

Drug finds are also becoming more common on these illegal inbound boats in one instance alone $500,000 worth of Marijuana was found on a single vessel.

The vessels will increase the size of the fleet used to fight these illegal entries.