One hundred and forty-two persons, believed to be Haitian nationals, have been detained during a maritime security operation undertaken by the Marine Branch of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force.
The illegal migrants were nabbed Monday night at about 9:20. The detainees include 108 males, 32 females and two minors, according to the information arm of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF).
Preliminary reports are that a radar operator at the RTCIPF Maritime Operations Centre identified a vessel and alerted the Police Control Room, informing them of the suspicious vessel in TCI waters.
On investigation by the RTCIPF Marine Branch, the suspicious vessel turned out to be a sloop packed with suspected Haitian Migrants, that had illegally entered TCI waters.
The individuals on board were handed over to Immigration Enforcement Officers at South Dock.
In the meantime, the public is being advised by the authorities, to notify the closest police station or to contact Crime Stoppers and give any information on illegal activity anonymously.
“Please note, that Crime Stoppers calls are answered in Miami and in Houston by Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers, which is a non-profit and not a police agency. The calls are anonymous and cannot be traced in the United States or the TCI,” a news release from the police said.