UNCLAS PORT AU PRINCE 001365

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PINR SMIG HA
SUBJECT: JULY 20 REPATRIATION OF 139 HAITIAN AND 2 CUBAN
MIGRANTS


1. According to lead UN Police Maritime advisor, Officer Pat
Evans, Haitian Coast Guard Detachment Cap-Haitien intercepted
a 40 foot Haitian sailing sloop with 141 persons on board
near Point Picholet on July 20 at 0315. The vessel was
escorted back to Maritime Operations Center/Coast Guard
Station Cap-Haitien where all intended migrants were safely
off loaded. On board were 139 Haitian men and women as well
as 2 men carrying Cuban passports. Further investigation
revealed no person holding claim as master or captain of the
vessel. Migrants on board reported that they were en route
to Provincial, one of the Caicos islands. Investigation by
the Coast Guard personnel confirmed that the vessel was en
route to the Island of Caico. Most migrants were believed to
have paid about 20,000 Haitian Gourdes (approximately 500
USD) each for the voyage.


2. Five persons were detained after all intending migrants
were interviewed as possible suspects in the illegal
immigration of the migrants: ALAIN Louis, JOLY Joseph,
LEONARD Francen, OBNER Alfius, and MAKENSON Prevalus. These
persons were detained by Northern Department of the Haitian
National Police (DDN PNH). The 2 Cuban passport holders
detained into custody of Haitian Immigration authorities were
HURUDA Samuel Vital and EROMITA Savon.


3. All other intending migrants were released after being
interviewed, photographed, and searched for any illegal
contraband. Coordination by Haitian National authorities
(Coast Guard, Immigration and the Haitian National Police),
MINUSTAH UNPOL, NEPAL FPU and Cap Haitien MINUSTAH Regional
Staff insured smooth, safe and rapid transition of those on
board. The sailing sloop is seized pending disposition
investigation by Haitian National authorities. This is the
second sailing sloop currently in custody in Cap-Haitien
pending disposition.


4. Comment: This is the second repatriation in as many months
by the Haitian Coast Guard. This successful interdiction and
repatriation is the result of projects, funded by INL and
Southcom, to re-staff and re-equip the Coast Guard station in
Cap Haitien as well as training provided by the U.S. Coast
Guard, MINUSTAH and the UN Maritime advisors, including PAE.
End Comment.
SANDERSON