The Royal Bahamas Defence Force intercepted an illegal sloop transporting SIXTY-SIX (66) irregular migrants on the evening of June 9th, 2024.
The detained group, comprising FIFTY-FIVE (55) males and ELEVEN (11) females, was intercepted in TCI waters and handed over to the TCI Immigration Task Force for processing.
On June 8th, the Marine Branch of the RTCIPF intercepted a blue and white fiberglass boat carrying thirty-two (32) irregular migrants.
The boat was spotted 27 miles east of South Caicos and found to be transporting twenty-six (26) males and six (6) females. The irregular migrants were handed over to Immigration for processing.
These successful interdictions came following information obtained from a US Customs and Border Force aircraft.
A joint operation conducted on June 7th has led to the detention of irregular migrants in Blue Hills. Acting on the information received, authorities detained forty-eight (48) individuals running along a beach.
Officers conducted extensive searches of surrounding areas, and tragically, the body of a female was found at Pigeon Pound. Further investigations are ongoing, but it is believed the incident is linked to a vessel attempting to enter the country illegally.
Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police (Specialist Tactical Operations) Mat Newton states, “I wish to thank all law enforcement agencies for their invaluable assistance in intercepting illegal sloops attempting to enter the TCI. Your dedication and collaboration have been instrumental in ensuring national security and protecting our borders. Our Radar, Marine, and Drone units, the TCI Regiment, the Immigration Task Force, and the Customs Department conducted the
operations.
“The RTCIPF strongly condemns the attempts to enter the TCI illegally. Such actions violate the law and pose severe risks to life, especially in adverse weather conditions.
“We urge those facilitating and encouraging these illegal attempts to consider the severe consequences. Do not risk your life or the lives of others by embarking on such perilous journeys.
“I am also grateful to those people from our communities who report suspicious activity relating to illegal migration and would urge the public to continue keeping us informed.”
The RTCIPF asks the public to notify the closest police station, contact 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 to anonymously provide any information on illegal entry into the TCI.
Additionally, individuals are encouraged to download the CrimeStoppers P3 app to share information anonymously.
