Dozens of illegal immigrants found on Cooper Island
A joint operation between the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) and US Customs and Border Control led to the interception of a vessel suspected of carrying illegal immigrants.
The incident unfolded just before midnight on February 14, and according to the RVIPF, the vessel ran ashore on Cooper Island where 25 adults and children were later found.
Subsequent searches in the daylight around the island unveiled an additional 10 persons, bringing the total to 35 apprehended individuals, who were then handed over to the Immigration Department.
The whereabouts of the captain are currently unknown and investigations remain ongoing in the matter, police said.
The BVI has increasingly found itself grappling with issues surrounding illegal immigration, human smuggling, and trafficking. Recent reports have highlighted instances where residents were implicated in smuggling operations, exploiting vulnerable individuals seeking better lives.
Just last year, Immigration Officer Naima Grante was taken into custody by police officers, where she was arrested and charged with three counts of breach of trust. The arrest came after three Dominican Republic males were apprehended on suspicion of attempting to smuggle from the territory.
In one case, individuals were charged for housing and assisting illegal immigrants, with the smugglers demanding payment for both accommodation and passage, revealing the complex nature of the illicit trade.
Immigration detainees have been housed in government-rented hotels and guest houses, which even when supplied with security officers, has resulted in a multitude of escapes over the past few years.
According to Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley, “$700,000 has been allocated in 2023 towards the development of a detention centre that will house and process illegal immigrants in a humane manner, and in accordance with international conventions, until they are safely repatriated to their homeland.”
Details concerning the progress of that immigration detention centre have not been shared in recent months and detainees continue to be housed at a local hotel for the most part.
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Money, money moonneeyyy, and the persuit of it!
The results of 99% of earth’s resources being held in the hands of 1% of the human population.
The down and resulting bad side of capitalism, human accumulation and greed.
This, hunger, starvation, corruption and others will never end. All the elements mentioned are the engines and pillars of capitalism. Without them it is dead.
Much of the illegal immigration through the waters of our territory is actually human trafficking.
There are those amongst us who are straight up slavers. Shame on us.
The captain of the vessel is living right here on the Island and he is black.It is a shame what him and his HUMAN SMUGGLING GANG IS DOING, scamming the illegals out of their money and then dumping them off like garbage to fein for themselves. Buy the way, that talk about the authorities in the USVI chasing the illegals over in BVI waters is a LIE, where is the where is the evidence to prove such? Don’t be surprise when the Mexicans start showing up.
Can we have that UK Radar System and the regular patrols by the Royal Navy. Head Coach is out of the picture so this should be ok now.