13396: Nassau Guardian: 52 Haitian Immigrants Detained in Exuma, Bahamas (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Daniel Schweissing <dan_schweissing@hotmail.com>

Bahamas

The Nassau Guardian Wednesday, October 16, 2002


Bahamian vessel with foreign crew, huge sea catch seized


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Bahamian vessel with foreign

crew, huge sea catch seized


By SEAN INNISS


The Defence Force vessel HBMS Bahamas on Tuesday arrested a Bahamian fishing
vessel after 18 of its 27-member crew were found to be foreigners.

The Defence reported that while on routine patrol in the Cay Sal Bank area
at 2pm, it came across the "Harmaci III", registration number NP-08243. When
the 72-foot fishing vessel was boarded by Defence Force officers, they found
11 Dominicans, six Hondurans and one American all working without valid work
permits. The fishing vessel's crew was in possession of a large quantity of
scale fish and lobster.

The vessel was placed under arrest and is currently in tow, and will be
taken to Bimini where formal charges will be brought before the island's
Administrator.

In other Defence Force news:

A group of 52 Haitian immigrants are presently being detained in Exuma after
they were apparently "dropped off" by a Haitian sloop.

According to Mr Loan Rolle, Councilman of the Black Point District, at about
7am a resident spotted a group of Haitians on Black Point. Further
investigations revealed that 22 immigrants (21 males and one female) were
apprehended and are presently being detained at the Regatta Site.

* Additionally a 40-foot sloop named Christ Vivant Nos 2, was caught by the
residents, and the remaining 30 immigrants (22 males and eight females) were
taken into Staniel Cay, where they are being detained at the All-Age School.

A Defence Force vessel is expected to bring the immigrants to New Providence
where they will be processed.

* The Defence Force further reported that a second group of Haitians was
apprehended at Barraterre, Exuma.

Residents, along with the police and immigration officers escorted a Haitian
vessel to shore in the early afternoon.

A count revealed 57 illegal immigrants in the group, who are expected to be
transported to George Town for further processing by Immigration officials.

© 2002 The Nassau Guardian


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