Google Maps: First Boca on Trinidad’s North Coast
TWENTY people have been detained when the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) Coastal Support Unit (CSU) intercepted a vessel off the North coast of Trinidad on Monday.
A release from the TTPS on Wednesday stated that the captain of the vessel will appear before the Chief Immigration Officer to answer 34 breaches; 17 for transporting persons without a passport and a further 17 for transporting persons without a Visa.
The release stated that approximately 5.30 am on Monday, the CSU received information regarding a person of interest spotted in the First Boca just off Monos Island.
Officers PC Valley and PC Mason responded immediately and around 6 am, the CSU officers intercepted a 28-foot pirogue, south of the Second Boca. The vessel bore no name or registration number and was occupied by 20 individuals.
Among those detained were three adult Trinidadian males from Carenage, a 29-year-old, a 32-year-old, and a 27-year-old, the vessel’s captain, a private in the Trinidad and Tobago Regiment.
The remaining 17 occupants appeared to be foreign nationals, consisting of 11 men, three women, one male child, and two female children. None of these individuals were carrying travel documents.
Although no illegal items were found on board, officers seized TT $11,420 and US$20 in cash, along with two bottles of alcohol, a market bag containing crabs, and a cooler with guavas.
Following the initial detention at Coast Guard Headquarters at Staubles Bay, 12 persons were released on an Order of Supervision, while five persons were detained and sent to the Immigration Detention Centre.
