Cockburn Town, Grand Turk; The Ministry of Immigration and Border Services’ Immigration Department is pleased to announce the successful interception of an illegal migrant vessel in the waters of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI).
As a result of a report by vigilante fishermen, an illegal migrant vessel was intercepted by the Marine Branch of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force at approximately 12:06 pm on Sunday, 2nd May 2021 in the waters of the Turks and Caicos Islands, in the vicinity of Ambergris Cay.
This resulted in twenty-three (23) persons being successfully apprehended inclusive of seventeen (17) Haitian males, five (5) Haitian females and one (1) Jamaican male.
All persons were taken to the Providenciales Immigration Detention Center for further processing.
In commenting on the interception, Hon Arlington Musgrove stated, “I must say a big thank you to our local fishermen who recognized their role in helping to secure our borders as well as to our partners the Fisheries Department and our Immigration Officers on both South Caicos and Providenciales, for their rapid response."
Hon Musgrove would also like to remind the public that illegal migration remains everyone's business and the sooner we recognize this, the sooner we will put a stop to these illegal sloops, together.
The public is remained that a person who is found to be in contravention of the Immigration Ordinance and commits an offence of harbouring is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $20,000.00 or to imprisonment for a term of four years, or to both.
The public is also reminded to continue to provide tips or any information related to this or any other illegal landing. We encourage the public to submit information or tips anonymously in English, French or Spanish to www.crimestoppers.tc or on Facebook as a fan of Crime Stoppers Turks & Caicos. Person can also call Crime Stoppers Turks & Caicos on 1-800-8477. Kindly note that Crime Stoppers tips are received in the USA.