In the Magistrate’s Court today, the two men who are believed to be in charge of operating the vessel, 39-year-old Mesidor Wilner and 35-year-old Pierre Neus, were charged with facilitating human smuggling, unsafe conveyance of persons on a vessel and illegal entry.

According to a release issued by the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, a full scale investigation was launched by local police into the matter with the help of St. Maarten authorities to expose those responsible for the smuggling operation.

On August 15, the Police Marine Unit along with H.M Customs and Immigration Officers detained 31 immigrants as they tried to escape through the hills on the south side of the island. An additional 34 immigrants were captured on a hillside early the following morning. A 34’ wooden boat believed to have been involved in the transport of the immigrants was also found in the bay on the south side and seized.

Reports by members of the group indicate that the boat left St. Maarten heading for the U.S. Virgin Islands but encountered engine problems along the way. Among the immigrants detained were 46 males, 17 females and 2 infants. The group included nationals from Haiti, Dominican Republic, Guatemala and Jamaica.

Commissioner of Police Reynell Frazer expressed his delight at the cooperation demonstrated between local and regional law enforcement agencies and is particularly pleased with the investigation as officers worked closely with St. Maarten law enforcement to bring the offenders to justice.