Crime
TCI Police identify 14 Criminal Gangs headquartered in Dock Yard, Five Cays and Blue Hills
Danae Dennie
Staff Writer
#TurksandCaicos, July 5, 2024 – “There are 14 mapped criminal gangs in TCI” said TCI Superintendent Dean Holden, Head of the Crime, Safeguarding and Public Protection Unit.
In a press conference on June 24, 2024, the RTCIPF shared information on traffic arrests, migration mitigation issues as well as their plans to stop crime, after the four deadly killings that took place within 24 hours of each other and the two traffic deaths.
Superintendent Holden shared that the 14 mapped organised gangs are only the ones that they know of but there is possibility for there to be more.
“..that’s as far as we know so, unfortunately I’ve known that we probably have more organised crime groups operating. We need to really humble around the extent of our intelligence… we need people to support us around that”.
When asked about the ages of these gang members, Superintendent Holden said “The profiles for our gang members are usually males between the ages of 18 and 26. Now, that’s not to say that there are not people outside those ages.”
Holden says these gangs are commonly located in Dock Yard, Blue Hills and Five Cays.
According to Holden some of the murders that happened last year were undoubtedly a dispute between gang members from the Dock Yard area and Five Cays. One of these gangs has now been disbanded from the Five Cays area and the other gangs’ members have been remanded for conspiratorial offences that are fire-arm related.
When asked about how firearms are getting into the country, Holden said “when we have an illegal migrant vessel coming from Haiti it is not only carrying individuals… but it’s probably also carrying criminals and probably contraband as well as firearms, in particular ammunition”.
The RTCIPF has set a National Intelligence requirement for all partner agencies to provide information surrounding these crimes
When speaking on the effectiveness of the Gun amnesty, Holden says personally “anybody who gives up their gun usually gives it up because they know it’s not involved in criminality. If it is involved in criminality, my concern then is , if we are saying to people you can give up that gun without any sort of police investigation. If that firearm is linked ballistically to murders or other serious crime, where do we stand? So I have a personal concern of its effectiveness.”
“The vast majority of the illegal firearms entering the Caribbean space seems to be disproportionately coming from the US” said Commissioner of Police Edvin Martin
“A lot of the weapons that are arriving in the Caribbean region are actually being perpetuated by individuals who are from the respective domestic states and sending them out as well…… there are persons from our state… that are a part of the apparatus of sending firearms to us and causing the significant evil that it is causing us”.
As it relates to the issue of capacity, Martin said, “ the RTCIPF, is trying to build capacity within the force through training , the development of resources both vehicular, mechanical as well as manpower resources to be able to combat the situations that we are approaching at this time”.
Crime
Acting Police Commissioner, Rodney Adams issues statement on Jouvly Inelus and gruesome photo of his dead body
Turks and Caicos – For the past three months, Jouvly Inelus has been wanted by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RT&CIPF) in connection with firearm-related offences, including homicides and robberies. Earlier this morning, officers from the Serious Crime Unit received forensic confirmation that the body found yesterday (September 30) is that of 32-year-old Mr Inelus, a resident of Blue Hills. This remains an active investigation, and the RT&CIPF extends condolences to Mr Inelus’ relatives and all families that lost their loved ones to violent crime.
Acting Commissioner of Police Rodney Adams issues the following statement: “At around 11:12 p.m., officers received information and proceeded to a bushy area in Miracle Close, Blue Hills. Upon arrival, the officers discovered the motionless body of a male dressed in a black jersey and black basketball pants with what appeared to be gunshot and other injuries.
“Mr. Inelus had been evading the police for the past three months. Despite the challenges, the RT&CIPF remained relentless in their pursuit of leads and conducted joint operations across the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) with the assistance of local and regional partners.
“We wish to thank Crime Stoppers and also express gratitude to the members of the public who acted in the best interest of the TCI. The police force remains committed to pursuing anyone who seeks to cause instability in the islands while ensuring the safety and security of all communities.”
In a direct message to the youth, Acting Commissioner Adams said, “I am pleading with the young men—put down your guns and preserve your life and the lives of others. Crime does not pay and only leads downhill. Many opportunities are available, and the RT&CIPF is launching a mentorship program to support and guide the youth. I encourage everyone to take advantage of this initiative.”
The RT&CIPF is also aware of a photograph on social media of the victim’s body. The circulation of such imagery is appalling and demonstrates a complete lack of respect. We urge the public to refrain from viewing and sharing material of this nature.
The RT&CIPF calls on anyone with information regarding illegal activities to contact the nearest police station, 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 to provide information anonymously.
Additionally, individuals are encouraged to download the Crime Stoppers P3 app to share information.
Turks and Caicos, October 8, 2024 – On Wednesday, October 2nd, 2024, Eagle Legal News learned that the man shot on September 27 in an apparent ambush in Snake Hill has now died, bringing the country’s murder rate to a record setting high.
The man, who had been medically evacuated to Jamaica for further hospital care was shot along with the late, former TCI Police officer, PAULCIUS LOUITES VEREUS.
Vereus was recorded as the 34th murder in 2024 for the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Here is the police report from the incident:
Blue Hills resident FRANCIUS PIERRE, has succumbed to gunshot injuries.
Pierre, 41, was shot on September 27 while at a location at Stammers Run, Snake Hill. The Police Control Room had received calls indicating gunshots were heard at around 8:35 pm.
Police and medical personnel arrived and found two males, Mr. Pierre and Paulcius Louites Vereus.
Mr Vereus was unresponsive.
Head of Crime, Safeguarding, Public Protection and Intelligence Superintendent Dean Holden said, “The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force extends condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Pierre, who succumbed to injuries this morning while undergoing medical treatment in Jamaica.
The Serious Crime Unit officers are continuing investigations and will leave no stone unturned as we actively pursue leads obtained.”
The RT&CIPF is asking anyone with information that may help in this investigation to contact the closest police station, 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800 8477 to provide any information anonymously. Additionally, individuals are encouraged to download the Crime Stoppers P3 app to share information.
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