19 illegal immigrants held on Virgin Gorda

Nearly two dozen immigrants were apprehended by members of the Joint Task Force (JTF) this week for attempting to entering the territory illegally.

The 19 Haitian and Brazilian nationals were held after landing on Virgin Gorda via a marine vessel.

“Intelligence was received by the RVIPF (Royal Virgin Islands Police Force) … The marine task force of Customs was activated and the marine police in addition to the Immigration Department were notified. They were able to now have a vessel in detention and approximately 19 migrants on board,” head of the JTF, Wade Smith said on local radio station, ZBVI, recently.

He said the gender breakdown of the illegal immigrants was two females and 17 males.

When asked where the vessel arrived from, Smith said the matter is still being investigated.

In the meantime, Smith said this incident represents “an excellent effort from the Joint Task Force … and the success of the collaboration between the agencies”.

This latest collaboration follows another operation a week earlier when three summonses were issued for immigration-related offences while two persons were arrested and charged for unrelated matters following a successful operation by the Joint Task Force on Virgin Gorda.