Deandrea Hamilton
Editor
Intercepted, processed at the port, marched onto a waiting bus, shuttled to the Detention Center and now locked away until they are repatriated, likely to Haiti, a new group of illegal migrants intercepted.
Left behind after the Border Force was done was a wooden sloop with clothing and shoes and other personal items strewn about his small deck. The boat, boasted that typical blue body and red stripes, so characteristic of Haitian sloops, it was also powered by two engines.
As Haiti remains in turmoil, people continue to flee and try to make it into the TCI undetected and sometimes they are successful, but this group was caught.
Police inform: “NINETY-FIVE (95) irregular migrants were intercepted this afternoon by the officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force Marine Branch. Eighty-two (82) males and Thirteen (13) females were handed over to the Immigration Task Force around 6:15 p.m. for processing.”
It was another illegal vessel from Haiti.
Five law enforcement agencies working together brought in the 95 illegal migrants, found near French Cay around 2pm Tuesday according to a police statement issued on Tuesday March 19.
Among those participating in the interception, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, the TCI Regiment, the Immigration and Border Force and the Fisheries Maritime Resource Management unit.
Commander of the Marine Unit Everett Warrican, ACP had strong words of warning to smugglers instigating these dangerous voyages and to those taking them, a reminder of the treachery of the trip.
“There are dangers associated with illegal migration, especially by sea. Not only are you risking your safety but that of officers escorting you to land. “Illegal migration poses significant risks to individuals and communities. It fuels criminal networks, exploits vulnerable people, and undermines the integrity of our borders. The RTCIPF will not tolerate such activities. Those who facilitate or support illegal migration will face the full force of the law. Let us work together to protect the safety and well-being of everyone in our community.”
It’s the fourth interception since Haiti entered a State of Emergency; that’s 325 illegal migrants detained in 11 days.
