Missing Dominican citizens found in Grand Turk

SEVENTEEN men and women from the Dominican Republic landed on a small boat in Grand Turk last week after being reported missing from their home country.

On June 17, police received information that several people had arrived on the southern part of the island by Hawks Nest.

Officers went to the scene where they apprehended 15 men and two women, who were assessed by the Ministry of Health, before being transported to a holding area.

Deputy Governor Anya Williams, the permanent secretary of the immigration ministry, the director of immigration and senior immigration officers were present.

The arrivals were taken to Providenciales for further processing at the Detention Centre before repatriation, according to a statement from the immigration ministry.

“The persons have been missing for over a week and…the named government was currently conducting an air and sea search and rescue mission,” it read.

Hon. Vaden Williams, Minister of Immigration, Citizenship, Labour and Employment Services, thanked his ministry for their immediate response and continued hard work.

He said the Department of Immigration remains in contact with officials from the Dominican Republic on having their citizens returned home in a timely manner.

It is an offence to assist or harbour an undocumented person.

The penalty under the Immigration Ordinance is a fine on summary conviction of $20,000, a term of four years in prison or both.

Anyone with information can call 911, Chalk Sound Police Station on 338-5901 or 941-8082 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1-800-8477 or www.crimestoppers.tc