Custom Officer releases American Tourist with a fine after ONE BULLET found

Wilkie Arthur

Freelance Court Correspondent

#TurksandCaicos, March 21, 2024 – On Monday March 11, we learned that over the weekend – Saturday March 9, 2024 – a tourist was found with one bullet in the Howard Hamilton Providenciales International Airport and allegedly a TCI Custom Officer allowed that man to pay $500.00 fine and that was the end of the matter.

The action by the officer starkly contrasted what the Court of Appeal had on February 29, 2024 determined was the only legal course of action when any individual was found to be in violation of the Firearms Ordinance of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Residents, in commenting on the report of the matter said, “We understood custom has certain powers according to law, but all persons, including tourists or visitors must go to jail if found with ammunition or firearm.”

The Supreme Court Justices are no longer allowed to sentence offenders to a fine or suspended sentence; prison time in the law is mandatory.

“How are we letting custom officers to do it? Foolishness!! Look at our own local mother Rubie Forbes, same thing, one bullet allegedly found, also at an airport, but no, we got her in court, and on suspension from her government job and heading to prison for 12 years if convicted of that one bullet. This has to stop and needs immediate addressing.”

The matter has gone unaddressed by officials.