BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – TWO male Dominican Republic nationals are currently in custody at the Basseterre Police Station for alleged illegal entry into the Federation.
When contacted this morning (Jan. 16), Assistant Commissioner of Police with responsibility for Crime, Ian Queeley confirmed that the men are in custody but not charged as investigations are ongoing.
Queeley did not provide any details on the reason for their apprehension or what charges, if any, may be preferred against the two men. He however promised that more information would be provided in a press release.
Information reaching this publication indicates that early Thursday morning (Jan. 14), a blue, white and red vessel was seen just off the shores in Newtown from which four persons had disembarked and went ashore.
The incident was reported at the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force’s Coast Guard Base via telephone and personnel from that entity were immediately dispatched to investigate the report.
It is said that they patrolled along the shoreline as far as Irishtown but the vessel was not seen. However, after returning to Base Camp empty-handed, another investigating team was dispatched aboard the CGV Hermitage and the vessel was eventually located in the Caribbean Sea in the vicinity of SOL EC Ltd. on the Bay Road, but no one was aboard.
SKNVibes was reliably informed that members of the Royal St. Christopher Police Force had apprehended two men, one of whom was the captain of the vessel named MV Miss Over, and they were identified as nationals of the Dominican Republic.
The vessel was boarded by members of the Police Force, Immigration and the Coast Guard and a thorough search was conducted but nothing illegal was found.
The 37-foot long vessel was subsequently towed to the Coast Guard Base, where it is secured by anchor pending further investigations.
The two men were taken to the Headquarters of the Customs and Excise Department, where they were questioned by personnel from that entity along with members of the other three security services.
At press time there was no word from the police as earlier promised.
