JOINT TASK FORCE WEEKEND OPERATION SUCCESS
Written by Fuze Social Team on September 17, 2021
Three summons have been issued for immigration related offenses and two persons arrested and charged for unrelated matters following a successful operation by the Joint Task Force on Virgin Gorda last weekend.
Chair of the Joint Task Force, Commissioner of Customs Wade Smith said the operation was carried out on September 12 and targeted persons suspected to be in the Territory illegally.
Smith thanked the members of the teams for their diligence in planning and executing another successful operation, and they prove that when their law enforcement agencies share intelligence and work together there is greater success.
And Chief Immigration Officer Ian Penn said a total of 45 people were investigated to verify their compliance with the immigration laws of the Territory, with three persons being found to have immigration related issues that warranted the issuance of a summons.
Penn said it is important for persons throughout the Territory to be aware that the Immigration Department with the assistance of the other agencies of the Joint Task Force will continue to carry out operations of this kind, not only to eradicate illegal activity in their communities, but to apprehend persons found guilty of residing illegally.
The success of the operation was further cemented with the arrest of two individuals wanted by the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force.
Acting Head of the Virgin Gorda Police Division Saif Kaddoura said the Joint Task Force made its presence known in the Virgin Gorda community over the weekend and there was notable appreciation for the operation even by those who were being checked.
Kaddoura added that the operation sent a strong, reassuring message to the Virgin Gorda community that the Joint Task Force stands in maintaining law and order. He said people felt reassured and safer because of it.”
