News
American tourist admits GUILT; fined for shipping personal Marijuana into TCI
By Wilkie Arthur
Freelance Court Reporter
#TurksandCaicos, August 11, 2023 – It’s been many, many years since we’ve seen or heard of the Hon. Akierra Missick standing in the criminal court defending persons accused of crime, however on Wednesday August 9, 2023 that is precisely where she was and what she was doing for a duo facing drug charges.
The matter was called before the Hon. Chief Magistrate (CM) Mr. Jolyon Hatmin. It was the first to be called on Tuesday August 9, 2023 among a list of other criminal cases.
The male resident of California, pleaded not guilty to all the charges read off to him by the learned Chief Magistrate and the female American plead guilty to all drug charges, namely possession of cannabis and illegal importation (fraudulent evasion being a Customs Department charge).
Principal Public Prosecutor Mr. Clement Joseph immediately after the pleas were entered and on record, invited the Court to dismiss or withdrew all charges against the visiting male and he was set free.
Joseph then further invited the Court to do the same for the visiting American female defendant but only on one charge, specifically: the possession with intent to supply the illegal drugs.
The case then proceeded against the American female alone.
Senior defense counsel was Missick, assisted by Ms. Keath Smith both from Misick and Stanbrook law firm and representing both accused tourists.
Principal Public Prosecutor M. Clement Joseph begun reading of the facts and told the Court that on Wednesday August 2nd, 2023, the local UPS Office observed an odor coming from a package in the name of the female defendant. When law enforcement officers became involved, that team comprising of detectives from the Anti+Gang and Drug Unit along with Customs officers, they decided to set up a controlled delivery to the owner
of the package.
The package was delivered to the address provided but the accused had already changed address. She did however, leave a message and a phone number to be called if a package arrived there for her. The call was made and she came, driven by the male tourist who was originally charged with her. The package was delivered directly to her. All this was being monitored and observed by the joint operational agents.
Mr. Clement Joseph further explained to the CM that moments after they drove off they were forced stopped by surrounding police and custom officials in mark and unmarked police vehicles. The officers then proceeded to collect the package but found it already opened with some of it’s contents out on the back seats. The package contained six tubes or vials with the illegal substance and another vacuum sealed package with more illegal drugs.
It was also revealed in court that on July 31 the defendant had another package which arrived in Providenciales, however this only contained labeled paraphernalia. This was checked as it too carried suspicious drug odor but it was released for delivery.
The court was told these items arrived through Cairsea Services.
The operational bust or “sting” as described in a report from the Royal TCI Police, took place at Sand Castle Drive in Grace Bay Providenciales on August 4th, 2023.
Senior defense attorney attempted mitigation for her client and asked the CM to have mercy on her client, a very young woman who would one day like to become a defense attorney. Misick said, her client had already begun her studies in the US.
The defence counsel further told the court her client sincerely apologizes and fully understands the seriousness of the offense. Pointing out to the Court that her client has no criminal record in the United States nor any other part of the world. It was adamantly expressed that ‘she is very, very sorry.’
Added to her expression of remorse was that this was her client’s second visit to TCI and has hopes of one day making the islands her second home.
The judge does have the prerogative to discharge the matter against the accused in order to keep her record clean of any criminal charges, however and notably, there was no reply to the beckoning from attorney Akierra Missick by the Chief Magistrate.
Having heard both sides, however, Judge Hatmin sentenced the defendant to a fine of $3000.00 or 120 days imprisonment forthwith.
The American female paid the fine and as expressed in the court, it is believed she and her male friend, immediately left the Turks and Caicos Islands following the proceedings.
Wilkie Arthur
Court Correspondent
#TurksandCaicos, May 15, 2024 – It was an uneasy night on Tuesday May 14 for some residents of Five Cays, Providenciales owing to continuous, serious fire power with gun shots blaring in various areas of the community.
Some say they heard shots in Granny Hill and reported a man walking around with a gun, randomly shooting at unidentifiable targets. Some say shots were heard behind the Enid Capron Primary School. Some say they heard gun shot sounds coming from a residential area as well.
The most compelling accounts, however, were on reported events in another area called “The Wells”; a community in the depths of Five Cays and South Dock.
Criminals took on law enforcement in a gun battle involving the armored truck and a CID vehicle.
No members of the Royal TCI Police were hit.
Not the same for the other side. One person was hit, a young man not known to police and it’s not clear if he was one of the men shooting at the police or an innocently caught in the crossfire.
The man was arrested as a possible suspect. He is also in hospital with an “entrance and exit” gunshot wound.
During the shootout in The Wells, the CID vehicle was shot at repeatedly, disabling its movement as gunfire damaged the engine. Concerning to us, these shootings were at different times and locations but came in rapid succession; one right after the other, I was told.
Most described the sounds as coming “from some big guns.”
Police the morning after allowed me in to see up close.
Video, photos feature my EXCLUSIVE, close-up look at the damage done by criminals; it is clear high powered rifles were used by these suspects still at large.
Wilkie Arthur
Freelance Court Correspondent
#TurksandCaicos, May 21, 2024 – A gruesome discovery was made around midday today (Sunday, May 19th, 2024) when police and fire rescue teams responded to a call at a location on Blue Hills Back Road, off Millennium Highway. The area, situated next to the Fortis Sub-Station, is accessible via a long, secluded dirt road.
Upon arrival, authorities found a vehicle completely engulfed in flames. The vehicle was later removed by police after being alerted by
an anonymous source to its burnt-out location. Local residents indicated that the fire had been ignited around 2-3 a.m. earlier that morning, but authorities were not notified until later in the day.
Residents could not provide details about the individual inside the vehicle or even discern its color due to the extensive damage caused by the fire. Videos of the discovery location are available, but footage of the vehicle itself will be provided once it has been located. The vehicle was reportedly still burning when police arrived at the scene.
Official Royal TCI Police Report:
Media Release – May 19th, 2024: Active Investigation Officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) are currently on the scene of a vehicle fire in the Blue Hills, Providenciales area. Acting on received information, officers arrived at the location along North Side Close and discovered a burnt vehicle with what appeared to be a body inside.
The RTCIPF is conducting a thorough investigation to determine the circumstances of this incident. As this is an active investigation, more details will be provided to the public as they become available.
May 21, 2024 – The Turks and Caicos Islands have clear laws prohibiting the possession of firearms and or ammunition without a licence and strict penalties in order to serve and protect the community. Our Firearms Ordinance, which was amended in 2022, states that:
No person (other than a licensed gunsmith in the course of his trade) shall have in his possession, discharge or use any firearm or ammunition unless he is the holder of a firearm licence with respect to such firearm, or in case of ammunition he is the holder of a licence for a firearm which takes that ammunition.
Firearm and/or ammunition offences carry a mandatory minimum custodial sentence of twelve years plus a fine. Where a court finds there are exceptional circumstances, the sentencing judge has discretion, under the law, to impose a custodial sentence and a fine that are fair and just in the circumstances of each case rather than impose the mandatory minimum.
The Chief Justice is advancing sentencing guidelines in respect of the application of exceptional circumstances. Wider work is also ongoing with criminal justice partners to review the efficiency and effectiveness of case progression, in driving justice outcomes.
It is the traveller’s responsibility to ensure their baggage is free of firearms and/or ammunition. Permission from an airline carrier does not constitute permission to bring firearms or ammunition into the Turks and Caicos Islands. Travellers are also strongly advised to search their luggage before they travel to the Turks and Caicos Islands to ensure they do not bring in forbidden items inadvertently. Such offences will result in arrest.
The Turks and Caicos Islands is a British Overseas Territory with a common law legal system, and reserves the right to enforce its laws. All persons, including visitors, must follow lawful process.
The Turks and Caicos Islands welcomes all visitors but reminds travellers that persons in the Turks and Caicos Islands do not have a constitutional right to carry firearms. Equally, the importation of firearms, ammunition (including stray bullets), and other weapons is strictly forbidden, unless licence to do so has been issued by the Commissioner of Police.
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