The Royal Turks & Caicos Islands Police Force Marine branch has intercepted two Haitian vessels with 237 illegal migrants on board earlier today (Tuesday October 29, 2013).
The 237 people have been apprehended following the interception by Border Control officials and Police Maritime Division vessel Sea Hunter.
According to Assistant Superintendent Pascal Bacchus, who heads the Police Maritime Division, the first vessel from Haiti was intercepted at approximately 1:20AM and arrived in Providenciales at approximately 4:43am with 120 illegal migrants (116 males and 4 females) aboard.
Meanwhile Government officials remained vigilant working along with the Police Force and at 10:19AM detected a second vessel from Haiti. Officers from the Police Maritime Sea Hunter boat arrived with the second vessel in tow in Providenciales at approximately 12:45PM with 117 illegal migrants (97 males and 20 females) aboard.
Both vessels and all 237 illegal migrants were safely escorted to South Dock, Providenciales without incident and handed over to Border Control for processing.
The Royal Turks & Caicos Islands Police Force is urging anyone with information about these two incidents or any other incidents involving illegal migrants to please call 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.