A sloop carrying 142 would be illegal immigrants (79 males, 61 females and 2 children) was intercepted by the marine division, Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) at 4:11am, Monday, 27 April 2015.
The Marine Police was alerted by immigration staff at the government’s coastal radar station at 2:30am, of a suspicious vessel being tracked, they deployed shortly after.
All Marine Branch assets returned safely to the Marine Base, South Dock and were met by Immigration and Police Officials. Several persons attempted to escape the Marine Police custody by jumping into the water, all were apprehended immediately.
All 142 individuals are now being detained at the detention centre and will be processed by health and immigration officials and will be repatriated at the earliest opportunity. All appear to be of Haitian origin.
The Police can be contacted anonymously on 911 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1-800-8477. Tips can also be submitted anonymously in English, French or Spanish on either www.crimestoppers.tc or on Facebook as a fan of Crime Stoppers Turks & Caicos. Crime Stoppers tips are received in the USA.