The Prime Minister of Dominica announced yesterday that the country has a zero tolerance policy against those who are entering the country illegally or through unauthorized ports of entry. The Prime  Minister’s made these statements after reports from the police that several persons have been arrested for illegal entry in the past week.

Chief of the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force(CDPF), Daniel Carbon reported that 37 Haitian nationals were arrested on Monday 3, August in Jimmit.

He said further that 31 of those arrested were charged for having overstayed in the country. On Friday 7, August, 11 Haitian nationals were arrested in the North of the island. They are being held by the police on suspicion of attempting to leave the island illegally.

Carbon added that 22 persons have been arrested over the past months for illegal entry while 5 vessels were intercepted.

The Prime Minister reiterated that there is a zero tolerance policy toward those who would defy orders and enter the country illegally as provisions have been made for persons wishing to come home.

He said, “We have said to our Dominican people that if you are stranded in Guadeloupe and Martinique in particular, we have consulates there. Please make contact with our consulates and we will facilitate you coming to Dominica if you are in a state of anxiety in those countries, in those territories. Do not risk placing your family and the whole country into difficulties by coming into  those boats illegally into Dominica”.

Photo Credit: DBS