A boat suspected of ferrying undocumented migrants, and which was attempting landfall along the Turks and Caicos Islands shores was intercepted by local authorities early Sunday morning.
Reports ate that at about 12:24 a.m., officers of the Marine Branch Unit of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force whilst on patrol received information from the Coastal Radar System of a suspected illegal vessel in our waters. The vessel was spotted about four miles from the shipyard. The Marine Branch Unit was successful at intercepting a blue 18 FT panga with 17 irregular migrants onboard.
The 13 males and four females were safely taken to the South Dock Port via M/V Sea Pursuit and handed over to Immigration Officials for processing.
All of them, according to government officials, appeared to be in good health. The operation was conducted without incident. No illegal drugs or weapons were found onboard the vessel.
In the meantime, law enforcement officials are asking that anyone with information on this incident, to can call 911 or call the Crimestoppers hotline anonymously at 1-800-8477 (TIPS).