Marigot:--- Several hucksters that was on one of the boats bringing foodstuff from Dominca to St. Martin were intercepted by the French Cutsoms while on sea on Tuesday. The two boats that has been plying the route for a number of years now are Marianne and Grace 1.
Speaking to SMN News two of the husksters said they were kept on sea for almost two hours as the customs check thier documents.
They said the officers took their passports and stamped it along with placing a cross inside of it and told them that if they are ever stopped again they would be arrested and deported.
The officers also ordered the hucksters not to leave their ship on Wednesday, the day they normally sell their produce, they were allowed to get off their boat on Thursday while they were informed that they have 15 days on the island.
SMN News understands that these hucksters who do not have a visa to enter the French side has an agreement with local authorities but the hucksters were told there is no agreement in with the State and Dominica.
SMN News further understands that local authorities has an agreement on cooperation with Dominica. SMN News has been reliably informed that officials from the Collectivity already made contact with the Prefecture to discuss the matter, but no solution is found. It is further understood that the matter would be fully discussed after the summer vaction.
One of the concerns of the State is that there is no customs, or Police Aux Frontiers at the Galisbay Port a main port of entry to the island. It is not clear if the duane or customs ever checked the containers and boats that docked at the Galisbay port for illegal substance.
More information on this story will be released in our subsequent broadcast.