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Tourists Leaving with Criminal Records;  TCI Judge calls for Attention to Worrying Trend  

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Deandrea Hamilton & Dana Malcolm

Editorial Staff

 

 

#TurksandCaicos, August 18, 2023 – Experiential tourism is taking a negative twist for too many guest families as increasingly, Americans legally licensed to carry arms at home are being caught leaving the Turks and Caicos Islands with those guns, where to have them is against the law and carries a mandatory 12 years in prison.

Now, a local Judge is demanding that authorities pay attention to the trend and work assiduously to ensure information available to gun-owners from the TCI’s largest source market  – the United States of America – are aware that liberties there are not necessarily liberties here.

In recent weeks, the British Overseas territory has seen four tourists hauled before the courts, facing illegal firearms charges.

“His Lordship, The Hon Justice Chris Selochan sent a strong suggestive message with suggestive directions and observation, that there needs to be information or communication on the TCI Tourist Board website advising visitors/travelers of our laws in the TCI and that they cannot travel to the TCI with a firearm nor ammunition,” Wilkie Arthur, Magnetic Media Court Correspondent reported.

Arthur was in the Magistrate’s Court as the warning was issued during the hearing of Alec Nash, an American man who entered the country on vacation with his licensed firearm on the advice of his airline, but was arrested when he tried to leave with his US-registered weapon.

The minimum sentence for illegal gun possession in the Turks and Caicos Islands is 12 years imprisonment and following a very heated debate where the prosecution argued heavily for Nash to serve jail time in the TCI, the judge made the call to uphold a precedent where non-residents to TCI found with illegal guns and ammunition are convicted and fined, not jailed.

The judge had a warning for airlines.

“He also advised that all the airlines travelling to and from the TCI must be given some strong warning that they must tell travellers that they cannot come to the TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS with firearms and ammunition.”

The arrest of so many American tourists for possession of guns, which they are legally licensed to carry in their home country is also a bad look for tourism. Coming on holiday, the least of a vacationer’s expectation is that they would end up with a serious criminal record.

Nash, an insurance agent with no criminal priors, was charged with a $5,000 fine, which he paid, and swiftly left the country as the judge agreed his circumstances were exceptional. Had the prosecution won the case, the man could have spent years in prison because he was ill-informed about the country’s gun laws.

Similar occurrences were observed in the case of David Carrol O’Connor, who was found with 44 rounds of ammunition at the Providenciales International Airport. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced on May 16th, 2023 to a fine of $6,670.00 or 90 days imprisonment.

Then there was Alex Guzman of Wyoming, who was found with a firearm and ammunition at the Providenciales International Airport. He pleaded guilty on June 2nd, 2023 and was sentenced to a fine of $3,500.00 or 60 days imprisonment.

Each tourist was held as they exited Turks and Caicos with their legally registered, US firearms packed in their bags.

It may also fall to visitors to do more research before bringing their weapons on holiday, especially given the severe penalty attached to illegal gun and ammo possession in the islands.

A Google search of “can I bring my gun to Turks and Caicos?” showed the ‘Visit Turks and Caicos’ website does have a warning that states, in order “to bring in firearms of any type (including spear guns and Hawaiian slings), you must have written approval from the Commissioner of Police.”

Yet, supporting links on this information are poorly positioned and therefore could be easily missed.

Moreover, if passengers feel they have been properly advised by their airline about how to travel with their US licensed weapon, they are far less likely to be inclined to even run a subsequent search.

As this article hits ‘the press’, there is a fourth matter before the TCI court where an American man was remanded to prison until a sufficiency hearing in October.  Michael Grim was arrested at the Providenciales International Airport for possession of ammunition.  Grim is expected to apply for bail.

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Police Commissioner Honoured with Distinguished Civic Service Award at TCHTA Star Awards

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey has been recognised for his contribution to national security and the tourism industry, receiving the Distinguished Civic Service Award at the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association’s Star Awards held on February 19, 2026 at Beaches Turks and Caicos.

The annual awards ceremony is the premier recognition event for the territory’s hospitality sector, bringing together industry leaders, executives and frontline professionals to celebrate excellence and the individuals whose work strengthens the destination’s global reputation.

Commissioner Bailey was honoured for his strategic leadership in the fight against crime and the measurable reductions in major offences, efforts widely credited with improving public confidence and reinforcing the Turks and Caicos Islands’ standing as a safe and competitive tourism jurisdiction.

In accepting the award, the Commissioner dedicated the recognition to the officers and staff of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, praising their commitment and professionalism in what he described as a collective national effort to make the islands more secure.

The TCHTA Star Awards spotlight the link between public safety and tourism performance, acknowledging that a stable and safe environment is essential to visitor confidence, investment and the continued growth of the sector.

This year’s ceremony featured high-energy hosting by Super P the Entertainer, with Omega serving as awards announcer, as the industry gathered to honour the people and partnerships that continue to elevate the Turks and Caicos brand.

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Health

TCI Hospital Celebrates Successful “Heart Strong TCI” Initiative During Heart Month

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(Providenciales – Monday, March 2, 2026) TCI Hospital proudly announces the successful achievement of its Heart Strong TCI initiative, a comprehensive Heart Month campaign focused on raising awareness and strengthening cardiovascular disease prevention efforts across the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the Turks and Caicos Islands, highlighting the critical need for sustained public education, risk-factor reduction, and early intervention. The Heart Strong TCI initiative was designed to actively engage the community through education, outreach, and physical activity.

Key Activities Included:

Educational Training Sessions

Healthcare professionals conducted structured sessions addressing hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol management, nutrition, exercise, smoking cessation, and the early warning signs of heart disease.

House Call Talk Show Feature

A dedicated Heart Month episode of the hospital’s House Call program provided expert discussion on cardiovascular risk factors and prevention strategies, empowering viewers with practical, evidence-based guidance.

Red Fridays Awareness Campaign

Throughout the month, staff wore red every Friday to increase visibility around heart disease awareness and reinforce the campaign’s message within the community.

Heart Strong 5K Walk/Run

In collaboration with the Rotary Club, TCI Hospital hosted a community-wide 5K walk/run to promote physical activity as a cornerstone of heart health. The walk/run also provided an opportunity for community screening.

Digital Health Education Campaign

To expand its reach, TCI Hospital also shared ongoing heart health education tips and prevention messages across its social media platforms, including Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. These posts provided actionable guidance on diet, exercise, blood pressure control, and lifestyle modification, and encouraging community members to learn CPR.

Heart Strong TCI: A Continuous Commitment

While Heart Month has officially ended, Heart Strong TCI represents an ongoing institutional commitment to cardiovascular disease prevention and awareness. TCI Hospital will continue to prioritize:

  • Community-based education initiatives
  • Preventative screening and early detection programs
  • Lifestyle and wellness promotion
  • Strategic partnerships that advance public health outcomes

“Heart Strong TCI is not limited to a single month,” CEO, Dr. Denise Braithwaite-Tennant.  “Cardiovascular disease prevention requires sustained effort. We remain committed to promoting healthy hearts across the Turks and Caicos Islands year-round.”

For more information about cardiovascular health services or upcoming screening initiatives, please contact TCI Hospital at 649-941-2800 in Providenciales, 649-941-2900 in Grand Turk or email us at info@interhealthcanada.tc

About TCI Hospital

TCI Hospital is dedicated to delivering high-quality healthcare services to the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands, with a strong emphasis on prevention, education, and community wellness.

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New Chartered Accountant Member Appointed to The Integrity Commission

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Darius E. Ferguson, Member of the Integrity Commission Board

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Friday, 27 February 2026: Her Excellency the Governor, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, today announced the appointment of Mr. Darius E. Ferguson as a Member of the Integrity Commission Board, serving as the Chartered Accountant Member in accordance with Section 3(2)(a) of the Integrity Commission Ordinance. His appointment is for a period of three (3) years and follows consultation with the President of the Turks and Caicos Islands Society of Professional Accountants.

Mr. Ferguson, with family ties to Providenciales and South Caicos, is a Chartered Accountant with over twenty years of senior leadership experience across aviation, finance, technology and consultancy, he brings a strong and diverse background in financial governance, regulatory compliance and strategic planning.

A former Chief Financial Officer of Sky Bahamas Airlines for a decade, Mr. Ferguson managed all financial reporting, regulatory engagement, capital projects and commercial development initiatives. He previously served in senior audit roles at both Ernst & Young LLP and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, leading high‑risk audit engagements and ensuring adherence to international financial and accounting standards.

Throughout his career, Mr. Ferguson has demonstrated a strong commitment to professional ethics, community leadership and organisational accountability. His experience across corporate governance, financial oversight, and operational risk management will bring valuable strategic insight to the Integrity Commission.

Her Excellency the Governor welcomed the appointment, stating:

“Mr. Ferguson’s extensive background in financial management, auditing and governance, together with his leadership experience across both corporate and community sectors, make him well‑suited to serve on the Integrity Commission. His appointment strengthens our ongoing commitment to integrity, transparency and accountability in public life. I am confident that he will make a meaningful contribution to the Commission’s important work.”

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