The TCI Prosecutor hopes the Dominicans captured stealing marine product from our waters will find the money to pay their fines and go home.
Public Prosecutor Clement Joseph said it is far more costly to TCIG to keep these men in remand for six months; a bill he estimates at $5,000 per day for the 28 men now convicted of poaching.
Magistrate Clifton Warner heard a whale of a tale today from the 28 poachers who say they thought they were in Puerto Plata in the DR. The poachers, who had been staying at the detention center since the raid last Thursday said their captain lied to them.
That captain eluded capture last week; left the 28 men, 14 boats outfitted with 14 Yamaha engines, spear guns, air compressors, hoses and other equipment outlawed in the TCI to face officers on their own.
One by one in court the 28 repeated their sorry tale. Telling Warner they were “betrayed.”
The men, in the end plead guilty to all eight charges and were fined $5,400 each; a total of $151,200 in fines.
The Magistrate had given them until 4pm to pay those fines.
