Haitian Boat Intercepted, Local Man Arrested in Connection

The intercepted boat being ushered to shore by local authorities

The authorities have intercepted a boat carrying 30 illegal migrants, attempting to make landfall along these shores, in a predawn operation on Tuesday, September 10, 2025.

According to the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force, at approximately 5:25 a.m., the Maritime Operations Center detected a vessel east of Bird Rock, South Caicos. At the time, a Marine Branch vessel was in the vicinity and was immediately deployed to intercept.

At 5:35 a.m., the Marine Branch successfully intercepted the vessel, which was subsequently towed to South Dock for processing. The Turks and Caicos Islands Regiment also provided operational support with their vessel.

The vessel, described as a white fiberglass boat, had 21 and nine females. The illegals were handed over to Border Force for processing at the Detention Centre.

A 56-year-old male resident of Middle Caicos remains in police custody as a person of interest in this matter. A joint investigation between the RT&CIPF and Border Force with the assistance of other partner agencies remains ongoing.

The RT&CIPF urges the public to notify the nearest police station, contact 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 to anonymously provide any information regarding illegal entry into the TCI.

Additionally, individuals are encouraged to download the Crime Stoppers P3 app to share information anonymously.