BVI Customs intercepts boat with illegal immigrants

Thursday, December 25, 2003

ROAD TOWN, BVI: The British Virgin Islands Customs Dept has intercepted a boat which was apparently taking two illegal immigrants to St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands.

Comptroller Mr. Wade Smith told the Government Information Service (GIS) that members of the Customs Task Force, who were on board a customs vessel, named "The Searcher," nabbed the boat with the illegal immigrants at about 6:30 a.m. on December 24.

The vessel with the illegal immigrants was in BVI waters at time of the interception.

The Comptroller said the Customs Task Force was acting on intelligence received. The illegal immigrants, along with the captain of the vessel, were the only people on board the intercepted vessel.

The captain is an employee of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, while the two illegal immigrants, who are both from the Commonwealth of Dominica, are a 30-year old male and his three-year old daughter.

The vessel with the illegal immigrants was a red 20-foot long "Go-Fast" speedboat, painted with the name, "Fatal Attraction," and was utilising a 225-horsepower Mercury outboard engine.

Mr. Smith reported that Customs has handed over the matter to the Immigration Department and the Police Force for further processing and investigation.

The Comptroller announced late in November that customs enforcement and surveillance will be enhanced in the build up to as well as during the Christmas and New Year's Day holiday period.

He said this initiative was even further intensified following recent reports that several passengers on a cruise ship in Road Town did not return to their vessel when the ship departed the BVI.

  Back...

  Most popular articles: viewed, printed and e-mailed

  Printable version