Fifty-two persons believed to be Haitian nationals were detained during a maritime security interception operation undertaken by the Marine Branch of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force.    

Those detained include; 47 males, four females and one minor.  

The illegal migrants were held on December 23 at 11.46 pm.  

Preliminary reports state that Marine Branch officers acting on information received from the Radar Station, intercepted one illegal migrant vessel south from West Harbour Bluff. 

The sloop and those persons on board were handed over to the TCI Regiment and Immigration Enforcement Officers.  

Additionally, Marine Branch officers recovered an empty vessel drifting two miles off Providenciales. The vessel was escorted to South Dock.