Deandrea Hamilton | Editor
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – In a stark reminder that narcotics trafficking remains a major threat, the Turks and Caicos Islands Border Force has intercepted more than $264,000 USD worth of cannabis in two recent seizures at a Providenciales transit shed, continuing a pattern of high-value busts.
As part of Operation Transit Shed, officers made the first seizure on 16 July, uncovering 21,865 grams of suspected cannabis concealed in a vacuum‑sealed box labeled unusually and masked with strong detergent—worth approximately $218,650 USD. A further 4,592 grams were seized on 17 July, valued at another $45,920 USD, bringing the total haul to over 26 kilograms of suspected cannabis.
This haul follows a notable drug bust last summer, when the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force—working with Border Force and the TCI Regiment—seized more than $2.8 million USD worth of cannabis in a separate operation. That 2024 interdiction resulted in over 41 migrants detained and emphasized the enduring role of transit sheds and migrant routes in narcotics trafficking (magneticmediatv.com).
Together, these incidents suggest a concerning trend: traffickers continue to exploit logistical chokepoints and migrant pathways to import large quantities of cannabis into the islands.
Deputy Premier and Minister of Immigration and Border Services, Hon. Jamell Robinson, praised the latest seizures:
“The Border Force is cracking down on the importation of illegal drugs, and those involved will continue to feel our presence. We remain relentless in our mission to protect our borders and the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands.”
Investigations remain active, with the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force collaborating closely with Border Force. Authorities reaffirm that importation of controlled substances carries serious penalties—substantial fines or imprisonment.
With repeated, large‑scale drug interceptions over the past year, residents are reminded that silence or complicity is not an option: anyone with information is encouraged to submit tips to authorities to help safeguard the community.
