Crime

No guns, No bullets when travelling to the Caribbean; You could 10-25 Years in Prison

Published

11 months ago

May 2, 2024

Shanieka

Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

Americans need to check their luggage for contraband including bullets before leaving home or expect long jail times and hefty fines that advice is coming from within their own country courtesy of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

In an article last updated February 14, 2024 the ATF said.

“While you’re packing your sunscreen and snorkel gear, don’t forget to check your luggage and clothing to remove all guns and ammunition. Many countries in the Caribbean do not allow possession of firearms or ammunition unless you have a local permit and, if arrested while traveling, the United States Embassy will not be able to secure your release.”

Recent arrests of visitors in the Turks and Caicos islands for ammunition possession have garnered international attention highlighting two interwoven issues: Americans may not be researching the laws of their vacation destinations well enough (despite encouragement from the ATF) and Caribbean countries may not be doing enough to publicize their laws.

One of the most publicized arrests, that of Ryan Watson, a father of two who entered the country with 4 bullets which he and his wife say was a mistake, is one example.

“We were trying to pack board shorts and flip flops,” Valerie Watson told CBS News. “Packing ammunition was not at all our intent.”

When Magnetic Media visited the official Turks and Caicos Tourism Website, listed at the bottom of the home page were entry requirements. A click on the entry requirements tab revealed in the very first paragraph, this statement:

“In order to bring in firearms of any type (including spear guns and Hawaiian slings), one must have written approval from the Commissioner of Police.”

It’s a clear warning, though it does not mention the mandatory 12 year sentence or the fact that ammunition possession carries the same penalty.

Regardless, it’s there for all potential visitors to see; In fact the Turks and Caicos’ warning is more forward facing than its nearest comparable neighbors who arguably have a much longer reach and more experience in tourism. Magnetic Media found it difficult to find any such warnings on the VisitJamaica or the Bahamas.com websites.

It’s a stark contrast to the ATF website which warns over and over “Convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines”

“If you are arrested for gun trafficking abroad, you could be imprisoned, fined or both, and the State Department will not be able to secure your release”

Despite this many Americans continue to make the same mistake, with four such cases pending this year.

Increased diligence from firearm holders and an increased visibility of local laws could work in tandem to protect guests and the tourism industry Caribbean Countries rely on.

Simultaneously, others, arguably the loudest voices, are calling on the government to repeal the law and make provisions for those who may have had no intent to smuggle anything into the country.

Related Topics:#magneticmedia #tci #Travelling guns

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Crime

Wanted “Woody” Charged

Published

4 days ago

March 15, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

***MEDIA RELEASE***

Turks and Caicos, March 12, 2025 – On March 4, 2025, the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RT&CIPF) issued a Wanted Bulletin for HAYWOOD MCINTOSH following a report of malicious damage to property and assault.

Five days later, (9th March), officers conducting patrols in the Grace Bay area identified and apprehended McIntosh.

McIntosh, also known as “Woody“, was searched, during which officers allegedly discovered a pistol and an extended magazine containing ammunition in his possession.

McIntosh was arrested and subsequently charged on Tuesday, 11 March 2025.

McIntosh, 38, of The Bight, faces the following offences:

Possession of a firearm
Possession of ammunition

The accused is expected to appear in court on the next available date and remains in custody.

The RT&CIPF remains committed to ensuring public safety and urges anyone with information regarding illegal firearms to report it anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 (TIPS) or contact the nearest police station.

Crime

Homicide Updates

Published

5 days ago

March 15, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

***MEDIA RELEASE***

Turks and Caicos, 11^th March 2025 – The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force confirms that a 29-year-old male remains in custody as a person of interest in the fatal shooting of an unidentified male in Dock Yard yesterday (10 March).

The deceased, believed to be of Haitian nationality, is described as a slim-built male in his mid20s with a short afro and goatee. He was found wearing only white boxers in a bushy area behind Dock Yard. Police are seeking the public’s assistance to identify him.

Investigations have thus far revealed that shortly after 8:30 am, several calls were placed to the Police Control Room stating a body was at a location in Dock Yard.

Officers arrived at the scene and were led to a ditch, where they confirmed the report.

In a separate case, detectives recovered a black vehicle suspected to have been used in the March 7th murder of Ricardo Pierre. A 21-year-old Dock Yard male has been arrested on suspicion of Mr. Pierre’s death.

Both homicide investigations are ongoing.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the police at 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 2311842, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477.

Anonymous tips can also be submitted via the Crime Stoppers P3 app.

Crime

Haitian Man Chopped, Then Shot to Death in Dock Yard

Published

5 days ago

March 15, 2025

Deandrea Hamilton

Wilkie Arthur

Eagle Legal News Media

Turks and Caicos, March 15, 2025 – On Monday, March 10, 2025, a day observed as Commonwealth Day in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI), the nation recorded what may be its ninth homicide for the year.

Authorities have yet to confirm the classification of a badly decomposed body found in the Snake Hill bushes of Providenciales on February 15, 2025. If deemed a homicide, the TCI murder count for the year could rise to nine.

Our investigative team visited Dock Yard to gather details about Monday’s killing and the victim.

Who Was the Victim?

Eyewitnesses and community members identified the deceased as a Haitian male, believed to be around 28 or 29 years old. They noted he had no official documentation but had been living in the Turks and Caicos Islands for over a year. Described as a quiet and hardworking individual, he reportedly made a modest living and sent money home to his family in Haiti.

What Happened?

According to sources, alcohol-fueled disputes were a recurring issue for the victim and his cousins on weekends. This past weekend, a heated argument escalated into violence.

Witnesses say one of his cousins, also intoxicated, attacked him with a cutlass. However, the cutlass wound was not fatal. The fight continued until another group intervened and shot the victim multiple times. Bloodstains on rocks, grass, and bushes suggest he attempted to flee before succumbing to his injuries.

At sunrise, his lifeless body was discovered in a ditch. He was found wearing only underwear. It remains unclear whether he was shot again in the ditch or if he sought refuge there and bled to death. The amount of blood in the hole suggests he sustained significant injuries before his death.

Police Investigation and Arrests

A cousin of the deceased, currently in police custody, reportedly admitted to the cutlass attack but claimed others were responsible for the shooting. Police detained him yesterday following their investigation in Dock Yard.

Official Police Statement

The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force issued the following update on March 11, 2025:

Homicide Update

A 29-year-old male remains in custody as a person of interest in the fatal shooting of an unidentified male in Dock Yard on March 10.

The deceased, believed to be of Haitian nationality, is described as a slim-built male in his mid-20s with a short afro and goatee. He was found wearing only white boxers in a bushy area behind Dock Yard.

Police are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying him.

Investigations have revealed that shortly after 8:30 AM, multiple calls were made to the Police Control Room reporting a body at a location in Dock Yard. Officers arrived at the scene and confirmed the discovery of the body in a ditch.

Ongoing Investigation

The investigation remains active, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.