Over 220 Illegal Structures Demolished in La Tortue, Blue Hills

Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey walks by a pile of debris that once was a building structure.

More than 220 illegally built structures in the La Tortue area of Blue Hills are being torn down in a sweeping, multi-agency crackdown led by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force (RTCIPF) with the full backing of the National Security Council.

The large-scale operation, codenamed ‘Dragon’, targets an area long linked to serious criminal activity and recent violent incidents. Authorities say the demolition effort is a decisive step toward dismantling criminal networks, restoring order, and reasserting the rule of law.

Working alongside the RTCIPF are the Informal Settlement Unit, Planning Department, Turks and Caicos Islands Regiment, Border Force, local utility providers, and private contractors.

Police Commissioner Fitz Bailey (background) engages residents as Front End Loader demolishes a structure...all under the watchful eyes of armed members of the police force.

Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey reaffirmed the force’s stance:

“The RTCIPF is resolute in ensuring the safety and security of all communities in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Illegal occupation and construction in La Tortue not only break our laws but also foster unsafe, unregulated environments where organised crime can thrive. This coordinated action shows our determination to address these threats head-on.”

Officials say the operation sends a clear warning to those who enter and remain in the Turks and Caicos Islands illegally,  particularly those involved in criminal activity, that they will face swift and coordinated enforcement.

Authorities remain committed to proactive measures aimed at deterring, disrupting, and dismantling criminal networks while protecting the safety and wellbeing of TCI residents.