Philipsburg: --- Police and the Coast Guard intercepted a boat with 32 illegal immigrants including an 11-year-old girl. According to a press release from the Police Department the boat with the name Agatha D. Grenada was intercepted on Tuesday in St. Maarten waters. Police Spokesman Ricardo Henson said the young girl was placed at the “I Can Foundation” while the adults mostly Haitians will be kept in custody, most of the immigrants that were on board the boat Henson said are female. Henson said the immigrants already informed police that were on their way to Miami when they were stopped at around 02:30 am on Tuesday morning.
An investigation is being carried out by the Immigration Department to determine exactly, who these persons are, where they were going and who is responsible for this boat trip among many other questions that have to be answered.
With exception of the 11 year old girl who is staying at the "I Can Foundation" all other persons will be held at the Philipsburg Police Station until the necessary steps have been taken for their safe trip back to their country, said the police spokesman. The vessel "Agatha D. Grenada" was also confiscated for further investigation. Prosecutor Reink Mud confirmed the interception of the boat. He said an investigation is currently taking place.
