TCI News
“DISLOYALS MUST GO”; Human Trafficking CRACKDOWN takes off says Premier
A determination to protect the Turks and Caicos borders and also weed out any ‘disloyal bad actors’ was the message from Washington Misick, TCI Premier, on Thursday, March 14, when he spoke in a National Press Conference geared toward border security.
He repeated information on the detailed package now approved by the United Kingdom that was shared by Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, TCI Governor. Included in that package is: Policing equipment to support the RTCIPF to combat serious crime, including new capabilities on forensics, body worn cameras and CCTV; border security upgrades to the TCI’s drone surveillance capability, portable scanners, new engines for Department of Environment and Coastal Resources vessels, and support for the implementation of electronic borders and a comprehensive new package of support to radically upgrade the TCI’s maritime domain awareness with a roll out of advanced coastal sensors through the support of the UK’s Joint Maritime Security Centre.
It follows ‘a very strong letter’ written to the UK government.
Also included in that is the deployment of a marine vessel ‘The Trent’ identified directly by Misick to be deployed in the waters between Haiti and the Turks and Caicos to dissuade irregular migration.
Acknowledging the dangers currently associated with air travel into Haiti. The premier maintained that alternative options are being considered for repatriation of illegal migrants who are captured including more holding areas.
“We are concerned about our own pilots and equipment and it’s currently unsafe to land there. It is too risky at the moment for our pilots and planes. That’s why it is very critical that we have these extra facilities to house any migrants that may come here.”
The Premier stressed that the security facilities at these spots were being upgraded to prevent any breaches
Misick also indicated that over 200 migrants were caught from three interceptions in the past week. Additionally 18 persons have been arrested. Sixteen were held in Providenciales regarding gun and gang activities. Another 10 were identified in Grand Turk.
He appealed to those who had information or connections to human trafficking.
”Come clean, come forward, if you have any information or involvement with illegal migration because whether you know it or not you will be found out.”
Misick maintained that every person living in the TCI had a duty to protect it.
“I don’t care how you got here, by birth canal or boat, we all have an obligation to protect this rock—- I don’t care where you come from and how long you’ve been here but we’re serious and if we find anybody disloyal to these islands whether you have a PRC, work permit or status you can say goodbye,” he warned
As for why Ariel Henry, Haitian Prime Minister, had been added to the TCI stop list Misick said this:
”We have a significant number of persons from Haiti here. Now we don’t know who is here and we don’t know what threat would’ve been posed by the Prime Minister entering these shores— I’m sure there were supporters and opposition to his tenure in office, and we have no idea what that could lead to.”
He described the decision as reasonable, smart, and intelligent, comparing Henry to longtime criminal Jimmy ‘Barbecue’ Cherizier. While Misick maintained they were not the same, he said it was ‘nothing personal’ and the country wouldn’t take any risks with admitting anyone that could incite negative reactions.
In terms of further border protection Misick maintains that the Strategic Coordinating Group was doing an excellent job with the resources allocated to them, meeting every morning and updating the Governor and Premier on the current situation daily.
Premier Misick maintained that Haiti was not going anywhere, likening it to a ‘chronic illness in the body’ that would need money to treat.
“Until there is stability in Haiti, both in terms of the politics and economics that is going to be the case, we don’t necessarily have anything against the Haitian people, but we cannot accommodate 11 million people or even anything close to that so obviously we have an obligation to look after our borders.”
Regarding long term strategies, Misick said the country was working on a Tourism Police Unit, and more regional information sharing.
“It’s not going to go away, we’re constantly going to have to deal with the problem so we might as well have solid strategies in place to deal with it.”
He maintained that he was aware of the gravity of the threat but had to ‘keep a cool head’ with his responses and plans.
PRESS RELEASE
MINISTRY OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 25 April 2024 – The Ministry of Health and Human Services is issuing a public advisory regarding a recent increase in chicken pox cases, particularly within school communities in the regions of Grand Turk and Providenciales. The Ministry is actively monitoring the situation and is working closely with affected schools to provide support and education aimed at preventing further spread of the virus.
Chicken pox, caused by the varicella-zoster virus, is a highly contagious infection characterized by a distinctive rash of itchy red spots or blisters. Transmission occurs via droplets, aerosols, or direct contact with respiratory secretions, and almost always produces clinical disease in susceptible individuals. While mostly a mild disorder in childhood, varicella tends to be more severe in adults. It may be fatal, especially in neonates and in immunocompromised persons. The Ministry urges parents, teachers, and the general public to remain vigilant and familiarize themselves with the signs and symptoms of chicken pox, which may include:
- Rash: The primary symptom of chicken pox is a rash that typically begins as small red spots, which then develop into fluid-filled blisters over several days.
- Fever: Children with chicken pox may experience a mild to moderate fever, often preceding the appearance of the rash.
- Fatigue: Some individuals may feel generally unwell, tired, or lethargic.
- Loss of Appetite: A decreased desire to eat may accompany other symptoms of chicken pox.
Management aims to relieve symptoms and reduce the risk of complications and may include:
- drinking plenty of fluid (try popsicles if your child is not drinking) to avoid dehydration.
- taking paracetamol to help with pain and discomfort.
- cut your child’s fingernails and put socks on their hands at night to stop them scratching.
- use cooling creams or gels e.g. Calamine lotion
- speak to your health care provider about using antihistamine medicine to help itching.
- bathe in cool water and pat the skin dry (do not rub)
- dress in loose clothes.
- do not use ibuprofen unless advised to do so by a doctor, as it may cause serious skin infections.
- do not give aspirin to children under 16.
- do not go near newborn babies, or anyone who is pregnant or has a weakened immune system, as chickenpox can be dangerous for them.
- do not scratch the spots, as scratching can cause scarring.
To mitigate the spread of chicken pox within schools and communities, the Ministry emphasizes the importance of practicing good hygiene habits, including frequent handwashing with soap and water, covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow, and avoiding close contact with infected individuals.
In the event that a child exhibits symptoms of chicken pox, parents and caregivers are advised to keep them at home and seek medical attention promptly. A sick leave for a period of 14 days is usually given. After the 14 day sick leave period, the individual must return to the physician or the public health nurse at one of the primary care clinics to obtain a fit for work or school certificate allowing them re-entry back into school or work. Anyone returning earlier than this time or without this certificate should not be allowed in school so as to prevent spread to other children. Additionally, it is crucial to inform school authorities to prevent further transmission among classmates and staff.
The Ministry of Health and Human Services is committed to ensuring the health and well-being of all citizens, and will continue to work diligently to address this current situation. For further information and guidance on chicken pox prevention and management, please visit Turks and Caicos Islands Ministry of Health and Human Services Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth/.
Wilkie Arthur
Freelance Court Correspondent
#TurksandCaicos, April 25, 2024 – He was busted at the Howard Hamilton Providenciales International Airport on Friday, April 16, 2024.
He allegedly had in his luggage four (4) rounds of 6.5mm ammunition on his departure to his homeland in Oklahoma in the United States of America (USA).
Ryan Watson and his wife were arrested and placed into police lock up. Both were later granted police bail, and upon return to police station the Monday after the couple’s arrest, the husband alone was charged by detective Police Constable Kimberlee Markland for
unlawful possession of the four rounds of ammunition.
Watson was escorted to court on Tuesday, April 23rd, placed before the learned Chief Magistrate Mr. Jolyon Hatmin and remanded to His Majesty’s Prison until his sufficiency hearing on June 7, this (2024) year.
His counsel, Mr. Oliver Smith KC and his junior assistant Mrs. Kimone Tennant immediately sought bail for him in the Supreme Court which was heard the following day (Wednesday April 24) before her Ladyship Ms. Tanya Lobban-Jackson and was granted bail, without hassle in the amount or $15,000.00 cash or surety.
The Crown, in the person of senior public prosecutor Ms. Tassja Mitchell did not oppose bail.
Magnetic Media can report that once again on the afternoon of the Tuesday April 24th, after the accused RYAN TYLER WATSON, 41 was remanded by the Magistrate’s court, the U.S. Embassy issued an warning to it’s citizens and travelers to carefully check their bags when traveling to Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) as TCI authorities are strictly enforcing firearm and ammunition laws and if found you could go to prison for 12 years.
A real question of great concern and public importance is: should the TCI courts sentence tourists to the full mandatory minimum of 12 years imprisonment for simple possession firearm and/or ammunition.
The succinct answer is: Yes!
The Court of Appeal, just last month said in its written judgment that “ALL PERSONS,” including tourist/visitors must go to prison if found guilty or pleas guilty to firearm and ammunition offences.
However, there remains the concern about how much time in prison a judge should give a visitor regardless of the existence of exceptional circumstances.
Should the judge imprison a visitor to the territory, who may have been wrongly informed, for example, the full mandatory minimum term or must a reduced prison term be imposed.
If TCI judges start to give less than the mandatory minimum to tourists/visitors, it is being strong and widely advocated by senior defense attorneys that the same must apply to local or residents of these Islands, who may also present exceptional circumstances.
Arguments about the equity in delivery of justice is what drove the question to the Court of Appeal late in 2023. The decision came this past February.
‘We cannot find ourselves sentencing tourists regardless of exceptional circumstances to lesser sentences, and when those same exceptional circumstances are found in local cases, it’s being ignored by our judges.’
Human Rights Attorney, Sheena Mair has on more than one occasion argued this point; including in firearm and ammunition bail applications. She would put the very same judges and prosecutors from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution on the spot by reminding the judges and the prosecutors that precedent has been set.
‘You’ve just granted bail to a tourist for firearm and ammunition but now here’s a local person, same charge but because he’s a local he can’t get bail? He has to be remanded pending a trial that could take years before it’s heard?’
Mair has valiantly outlined the wrong in this and clearly stated this practice is “not fair” and it’s “not proper administration of justice in the Turks and Caicos Islands.”
Ms. Mair further complained that tourists would plea guilty to possession of firearm and ammunition and be released on bail pending sentencing but as for a local, he or she has to wait on remand at the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation pending sentencing.
The attorney criticizes the optics of such decisions and is on record reminding the Judge that the Court of Appeal has already set out that the law applies to everyone; visitors and locals alike.
A police statement issued Wednesday April 24 informs: “Today (April 24th), Mr. Watson appeared in the Supreme Court and, following a bail application, was granted $15,000 bail with the following conditions:
1) Not travel out of TCI without the court’s permission.
2) Surrender his passport and all other travel documents to the court
3) Report to Grace Bay Police Station on Tuesdays and Thursdays between the hours of 8 am-4 pm,
4) Reside at the given address in Providenciales; any address change will be provided before the court.”
The American from Oklahoma whose story is trending in the US and has been carried by leading news networks was joined by a host of loved ones at the Courthouse.
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