Joint Interception

An illegal vessel transporting ONE HUNDRED and FORTY (140) irregular migrants was intercepted this morning.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (Specialist Tactical Operation) Mat Newton said:

“Information from the United States Coast Guard indicated that an illegal sloop was heading towards the Turks and Caicos Islands.

“At 12:43 a.m. today (March 11th, 2024), the Bahamas vessel HMBS LL Smith, with two members from the Turks and Caicos Regiment and one member of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force onboard as ship riders, intercepted what is believed to be a Haitian vessel.

“The illegal sloop carried One Hundred and Twenty-One Males (two minors included) and Nineteen Females (two minors included). The irregular migrants were brought ashore to Providenciales for processing by the Immigration Task Force.

“The RTCIPF remains committed to working alongside our regional and international partners to dismantle these operations run by unscrupulous individuals. I am grateful to the crew of the HMBS LL Smith for their diligence and professionalism in executing today’s interception as we continue to partner in protecting our territorial waters and Border.” The TCI-Bahamas Shiprider Agreement allows the TCI and Bahamian ship riders to board each other’s law enforcement vessels or aircraft. The shiprider can grant authority to enforce TCI law relating to people trafficking, illegal migration, narcotics or firearms trafficking, or unregulated
fishing.