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Illegal Vessel with 109 Irregular Migrants Intercepted

Writer's picture: NewslineTCINewslineTCI
Photo shows the boat being ushered ashore

An illegal vessel carrying 109 irregular migrants was intercepted on Saturday, May 18, 2024.

The vessel was stopped 15 nautical miles south of Providenciales, thanks to coordinated efforts involving international and local forces.


Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police for Specialist Tactical Operations, Mat Newton, detailed the operation: “Acting on information received from the United States Customs and Border Protection Aircraft, a vessel was spotted 15 NM south of Providenciales. Officers from the Marine Branch, TCI Regiment, and TCI Border Force were deployed to intercept.”


The vessel, identified as "The Penga Style," a blue and grey wooden boat approximately 30 feet in length with two outboard engines, was found transporting ninety-eight (98) males and eleven (11) females. The irregular migrants were safely brought ashore to Providenciales for processing by the Immigration Task Force.


An aerial radar image of the boat that was intercepted by the authorities on the weekend

Expressing his gratitude, Acting Assistant Commissioner Newton stated, “I am grateful to our international partners, local partners, and my teams for successfully and safely intercepting the vessel illegally entering our borders. This shows that the layers of security in place are increasingly effective, and we continue to build our defensive measures to tackle this type of crime.”


The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) urges the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities. Citizens can notify the closest police station, contact 911, the Serious Crime Unit at 231-1842, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477. Additionally, individuals are encouraged to download the CrimeStoppers P3 app to share information anonymously.


This successful interception underscores the ongoing efforts and cooperation between international and local agencies to enhance border security and prevent illegal activities.

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