CHARLESTOWN, Nevis – A JOINT operation between the Immigration Department and the Police on Nevis has netted 17 persons who have overstayed their time on the island.

Information received from the Police Press and Public Relations Officer, Inspector Cromwell Henry, indicate that 16 of those taken into custody are Guyanese and the other is a Jamaican.

The illegal immigrants were rounded up during raids which began early Saturday (Mar. 21) morning, following a routine check of the records of the Immigration Department.

According to Inspector Henry, the 17 immigrants were asked to pay for the extra time they spent on the island and then advised to make arrangements to return to their homeland. He said that up to the time of reporting there were still five persons remaining in custody.

Questioned on what would happen if the illegal immigrants were unable to find the airfare to return to their homeland, Henry said it was in their best interest to ensure they could since it could result in them being taken before the courts. He said this would make it difficult for them to ever return to the Federation.