On the night of November 13, officers from the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) Maritime Operations Unit intercepted a vessel carrying suspected illegal migrants in waters several miles off Bird Rock, Long Bay, Providenciales.
Maritime officers were immediately dispatched to investigate the vessel, which had been detected moving suspiciously within Turks and Caicos Islands' territorial waters.
Upon reaching the designated location, officers observed the vessel in shallow waters near the shore, with several individuals jumping overboard in an attempt to evade capture. Additional land support units were promptly deployed to assist with the operation, ensuring all exits were secured.
The RTCIPF Marine team successfully apprehended nine individuals from the vessel, suspected to be illegal migrants. The group consisted of four males, including two minors, and five females, with one female minor. While the vessel later sank in the area, officers thoroughly checked for any casualties, ensuring the safety of all individuals involved.
After their apprehension, the detained individuals were transported to the Marine Base and handed over to the Immigration Department for processing.
During the operation, officers observed several other individuals attempting to hide along a nearby trail. A coordinated response involving the TCI Regiment and Border Force helped secure all access points from the beach to the main road, effectively containing the area until daylight.
At around 6 a.m. the following morning, as officers continued to monitor the scene, a 48-year-old male resident of Five Cays was spotted walking in the vicinity. When questioned, he could not provide a valid reason for his presence and was found carrying tools and a substantial quantity of packaged food. The man, who has no legal status on the island, was taken into custody and handed over to Immigration authorities.
Acting Commissioner of Police Kendall Grant commended the swift, coordinated response of the RTCIPF Maritime Operations Unit, Drone Unit, TCI Regiment, Border Force, and the Department of Fisheries and Marine Resources.
“Our commitment to securing the Turks and Caicos Islands' borders and ensuring the safety of its residents remains unwavering,” Mr. Grant stated, recognizing the diligence of all units involved.
The RTCIPF is requesting that anyone with information relevant to this investigation contact the nearest police station, dial 911, reach the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-8477. Additionally, the public is encouraged to use the Crime Stoppers P3 app to provide information confidentially.
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