by Linda Straker
- Unoccupied boat identified by area fishermen almost 2 miles out of River Antoine
- Clothing and some passports, nationalities undisclosed, found on boat
- In December 2021, a boat with 7 dead bodies was discovered drifting off Carriacou
Police in Grenada are tight-lipped about a fishing boat with no occupant found drifting in the northeast Atlantic coast by fishermen from the area.
“Yesterday, 2 fishermen from Grenville identified a boat almost 2 miles out of River Antoine. There were no occupants on the boat. There was some clothing and some passports; I do not wish to disclose the nationality of the passports at this point,” said Assistant Commissioner of Police Vannie Curwen during a news conference called by the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF).
Curwen, who is in charge of Crime, said the matter is under investigation. Police did not disclose where the boat is currently docked. When asked if the passports found bear regional or international states, ASP Simon Douglas who oversees the Community Relations Department, said, “I don’t know why the nationality was not disclosed, and I will have to seek permission to disclose that.”
In December 2021, a boat with 7 dead bodies was discovered drifting in the vicinity of Gun Point, on the Grenadine island of Carriacou, and taken to Harvey Vale by the Grenada Coast Guard. Carriacou is located to the north of Grenada.
At the time, Police said that preliminary digital forensic analysis that had occurred with electronic devices found on the boat led the authorities to believe that this incident may have been associated with human trafficking or human smuggling.
“The preliminary findings suggest that multi countries and multi nationalities are involved in this incident. Juxtaposed against the fact that there were similar findings and sightings elsewhere in the Caribbean and Central America region supports our belief that this incident can be supported, and is believed to be associated rather with human trafficking or human smuggling,” the Police said back then.
Police are yet to give an update on the investigation of the 7 bodies, 2 of which were believed to be teenagers.
It is very, very interesting news that Grenada has posted.
I hope the persons previously on board the vessel did make it to safety.
Although the nationality of the passports should have also been mentioned, as it should be a national concern, if not a breach of national security.