One Hundred and Forty-Eight Illegal Migrants intercepted at sea

#TurksandCaicos, August 4, 2023 – Marine Branch Officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force were dispatched today (August 04th) following reports that a suspicious vessel was seen making its way towards Providenciales.

Acting on the information received, at around 3:14 a.m., the officers, via the Sea Protector vessel, intercepted an illegal sloop, six point seven miles southeast of Providenciales.

The illegal migrant vessel was found carrying a total of ONE HUNDRED AND FORTYEIGHT (148) illegal migrants- THIRTY FEMALES (30); and ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTEEN (118) MALES.

The illegal migrants were handed over to the Immigration Task Force for processing.

The RTCIPF can confirm, the following statistical data for the year (August 04th):

Number of Interceptions: Twenty-Three (23)

Number of Males: Two Thousand Four Hundred and Eight (2408)

Number of Females: Six Hundred and Twenty-Two (622)

Total number of Illegal Migrants: Three Thousand and Thirty (3030) Included in the 3030 figure are TWENTY-ONE CHILDREN.

The public is being advised to notify the closest police station, 911, or call TCI Crime Stoppers at 1-800-8477 and give any information on illegal activity anonymously