The Criminal Investigation Department of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force is actively investigating two cases of suspected Forgery of Negative PCR Covid Test Results on the island of Providenciales. The couple who were scheduled to travel to the Bahamas on Thursday, April 8, 2021, presented the forged documents to officials at the Providenciales Airport. On Monday, April 12, 2021, the couple, a 54-year-old woman and a 56-year-old man, were arrested and charged with the Offence of Uttering Forged Documents.
They appeared in the Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, April 14, 2021. The couple is expected to attend a sufficiency hearing on June 5, 2021.
In a second incident, two women, a 36-year-old and a 39-year-old presented what appeared to be Forged Negative PCR test results to officials at the Providenciales International Airport. Both women were arrested and subsequently charged with the Offence of Uttering Forged Documents on Tuesday, April 13, 2021. They are scheduled to appear in the Magistrate’s Court on Friday, April 16, 2021, to answer to the charge. The women were scheduled to travel to the Bahamas.
Commissioner of Police Trevor Botting said, “Firstly, I would like to congratulate our colleagues at the Providenciales Airport for their vigilance. Secondly, the visiting and local community need to understand that it is a Serious Offence if you decide to make false or fraudulent representations, and there are severe consequences for violating the Emergency Measures”. Commissioner Botting added, “Given the widespread technology available, and as long as travel restrictions are in place, this behaviour is inevitable. However, we will remain vigilant, and if you are caught, please know that you will be punished to the fullest extent of the law. We are tasked with the protection of people and property, and we will continue to do so while protecting the reputation of this Country”.