Three locals busted at sea over drugs
RCIPS helicopter
(CNS): Three men intercepted at sea 45 miles southeast of Grand Cayman have been arrested on suspicion of drugs and customs offences, police said Friday. The men were busted on Thursday 28 May following a routine patrol by the police chopper. The Air Operations Unit helicopter crew spotted a suspicious Panga-type vessel and, in conjunction with the Joint Marine Unit vessels, Guardian and Tornado, the boat was intercepted.
An RCIPS spokesperson said the three men on board were detained by the Joint Marine Unit officers. Police believe they are all of Caymanian nationality and currently remain in custody. The vessel and occupants were all brought back to Grand Cayman, where investigations are continuing, the spokesperson added, but police did not say if any drugs were seized.
Detective Superintendent Robert Scotland said, however, that the arrest was a further example of our proactive operations focused on the border security of the Cayman Islands and coordinating the Marine and Air resources effectively.
Meanwhile, the police said that the Air Operations Unit was also involved in another medevac this week when another cardiac patient in a life threatening condition arrived by Cayman Airways Express air ambulance from Cayman Brac at Owen Roberts International Airport.
“Due to the need for rapid and immediate transfer to Heath City, East End, the patient was transferred on the airport apron to the police helicopter for that transfer,” the RCIPS said. “The flight was completed in eight minutes, with the helicopter landing on a cleared landing site to the rear of Health City. The patient is now stable in the hospital specialist cardiac unit,” he added.
Oh but remember the helicopter was a waste of money. Thankfully the Government didn’t buy that. Anyone care to admit they were wrong?
Here are two more fantastic examples of the fine work performed every day by the RCIPS helicopter team. They are a vital component of the police force and deserve our full support for risking their lives for all of us day in a day out along with all the police. Thank you for all you do!
45 Miles? OUTSIDE JURISDICTION! I don’t understand. International water are not ar 12 Miles or 22.22 KM. Why the law dont respect the law. Any good lawyer will set them free very fast. But maybe Cayman is more important then anyone. Thank you
That is quite wrong assumption. There is no ‘sanctuary’ at sea, neither should there be. Point is they were from Cayman and this was a Cayman law enforcement team. Only time there is a degree of protection is when the vessel is flying a flag. But drugs crosses international waters, and not many fly a flag I suspect. Anyone noticed the US Coastguard sitting in their 12 mile limits?
The degree of protection of a flagged vessel is very limited. The intervening authority must seek consent to board from flag state – which should be returned immediately and no later than a maximum of 4 hours. Intervening authority is protected by UN Article 17 and may board and search vessel on the sooner of: the first instance of destruction of evidence, evasive action, or the 4h 1sec mark.
Article 17 of the United Nations Agreement on Illicit Traffic by Sea gives RCIPS, DOE, Royal Navy, US Coast Guard, or any other acting gov’t authority, the right, to stop, search, and seize crew and cargo if they are believed to be in the commission of an offense.
fine caymanian sea captains no doubt…….
What ever happened to the crew who were apprehended out at sea after the armed robbery in Little Cayman in 2013. Were they ever charged or just quietly let go??
…or awarded one of those cherished gong things.
What generation of locals are they? We, the n’th generation demand to know!
They are the nth+1 generation.
Is it the same three who always go fishing and have engine trouble?
For sure, these are gold star justifying moments for the copter and crew. More of this please. However, there are 400 other RCIPS officers that don’t seem to be making any headlines on anything – we’d love to read more glorious crime fighting snippets about how they are effectively contributing in their shifts. How about a Cop of the month award for anyone who can set a new traffic ticket record? Please send a few of these officers out there to do it every day!
Well done RCIPS….like any other organization you’re not perfect, but I’m damn glad we got you and Baines on our side…Thank you,