A 36-foot Haitian sloop with a 175 horse power Yamaha engine was detected at approximately 4:16AM on (Tuesday May 19, 2015) heading towards the Five Cays area of Providenciales. The vessel was detected by the radar station and intercepted by officers of the Royal Turks & Caicos Islands Police Force – Marine Branch.
The Haitian sloop was escorted to the South Dock port by the Marine Branch and arrived at approximately 5:11AM. Officials from various Police units, Border Control, and other Government and Non-Governmental agencies were on hand to assist with the processing of these individuals. There were 142 individuals on board when intercepted consisting of (61 females and 79 males and 02 juveniles).
10 persons attempted to escape by jumping overboard. Three made it to shore but were later captured by Immigration and Police officers. The other seven were in distress in the water and had to be rescued by Police. Two of those who were rescued were given medical assistance by medics for taking in too much salt water.
All 142 individuals were later transported to the Detention Center for further processing and detention. Plans are currently progressing for the repatriation of these persons to their homeland within the next few days. The communities of the Turks and Caicos Islands are encourage to contact law enforcement with any information concerning the whereabouts of any illegal migrants or on pending sloop arrivals.
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.
