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8 illegal immigrants caught on Prickly Pear Island; 2 on VG

- Captain held; Illegal immigrants to be deported
Eight of the 10 illegal immigrants were caught on Prickly Pear Island on Thursday, June 25 and 26, 2020. Photo: BVI Traveller
Two of the 10 illegal immigrants were caught on Leverick Bay, Virgin Gorda, on June 26, 2020. Photo: VINO/File
Two of the 10 illegal immigrants were caught on Leverick Bay, Virgin Gorda, on June 26, 2020. Photo: VINO/File
VALLEY, Virgin Gorda, VI – Some 10 illegal immigrants and a boat captain suspected to have smuggled them into the Virgin Islands have been caught on Prickly Pear Island and Virgin Gorda by local authorities acting on information received.

According to the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF), on Thursday, June 25, 2020, at approximately 3:30 pm, Police Marine Unit Received a call from a concerned member of the community regarding a white sailing vessel that allegedly dropped off persons with backpacks at Prickly Pear Island.

Sailing vessel intercepted

It said the Joint Task Force made up of RVIPF, Immigration and Customs Officers, responded and intercepted a white sailing vessel on the North Western side of the island heading North away from the island.

“2 Officers stayed on the sailing vessel to conduct inquiries while the remainder proceeded to search Prickly Pear Island, where they found 5 males and 1 female taking refuge in a small building.

“An additional search was conducted the following day which uncovered 4 more persons, 2 on the beach front of the island and 2 on Leverick Bay, Virgin Gorda bringing the total of Illegal Immigrants to 10 persons,” the RVIPF said in a press release today, June 28, 2020.

Captain held; Illegal immigrants to be deported

As a result of inquiries, according to the RVIPF, the lone occupant of the sailing vessel, Crawford Sabaroche, a 53-year-old native of Dominica residing in St. Maarten was arrested and charged for Being Engaged in Illegal Smuggling and Illegal Entry.

He is currently being held at Paradise Suites pending his appearance at The Magistrate’s Court.

The remaining immigrants are also being held at Paradise Suites pending deportation.

Police did not state the nationality of the illegal immigrants.

13 Responses to “8 illegal immigrants caught on Prickly Pear Island; 2 on VG”

  • Ghost (28/06/2020, 20:23) Like (22) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is not good at all.. the Premier is trying so hard to keep this virus at bay from being in our country But thinks like this puts the country at risk.. I hope the cops used protective gear with these people .. ANNOYING!.. this is all so risky.. all of them need to be deported esp that boat captain.. deport him from bvi for good ..
  • bad (28/06/2020, 20:39) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Officers becareful about their covid status
  • Fran (28/06/2020, 20:40) Like (11) Dislike (4) Reply
    @ Ghost. I'm with you on this one. These freaking people are trying to infect us with their virus. As you stated, the police now have to be quarantined....Damn! Ban that boat captain forever!!!!!!!!!
  • Arm us (28/06/2020, 20:56) Like (3) Dislike (7) Reply
    Arm the law abiding folks and we vote VIP again
  • Doing your part (28/06/2020, 21:36) Like (22) Dislike (0) Reply
    I want to give respect to this community minded person. If we all do our part the bvi will be a better place. Even if it cost you grief and paid stand up. You have done your part. Thank you as we say nuff respect
  • So sad (28/06/2020, 21:54) Like (25) Dislike (5) Reply
    There are alot of undocumented persons living and working hear in the bvi. There is also alot of persons overstaying and not going to immigration for time. The Immigration need to get a system to clean up this place. I dont hate no outsider but most of them just come hear to corrupt our country and try to find a way to cheat the system... Hon. Vincent Wheatley clean up this place please!!
    • wow (30/06/2020, 10:19) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      We need Immigration like the old days they round them up! We need Officers to go check places in the Countryside. All those large apartment buildings. Belle Vue, Butu Mt., Hope Hill, Josiah's Bay, Spring Ghut, Long Trench, Purcell , Johnson Ghut etc.
  • VG (29/06/2020, 04:05) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
    Incidents similar to same location was reported before but no one heed.I can bet than Dominican man has something in common with our borders.Either he was a former resident,has ties here etc
  • guy hill (29/06/2020, 11:28) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    @VG... He's known to immigration here.
  • look (29/06/2020, 12:14) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply

    That captain needs to be prosecuted they have to understand we are a serious people and goverment

  • Res talk (29/06/2020, 13:34) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    (Dominicans )brag and boast have nothing, thief , Corrupt ,wicked,. Bad minded ,.jealous you for what have, pratice witch craft and still broke, if you dont believe me ask any one who had run in with them.
  • wow (29/06/2020, 14:55) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    HaHa spanish woman love to sell them front and spanish men love to sell humans lol
  • g (29/06/2020, 15:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mr is no stranger to this place he knows in and out


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