Overseas Travelers Beware....Know before you go to Turks and Caicos

[LESchwartz]

Four Americans are charged with possession of ammunition offenses in the tropical Atlantic getaway of Turks and Caicos, according to a post from the Turks and Caicos Islands Government.

Carrying firearms in Turks and Caicos is prohibited, according to the TCI Government. Bringing firearms or ammunition, including stray rounds, into the British Overseas Territory without prior permission from police is “strictly forbidden.”

Looks like they're tying to make an example out of folks . . .

For more information, see:  https://www.cnn.com/travel/turks-and-caicos-americans-ammunition-charges/index.html.

Larry

[Onepoint]

I wouldn't look for help from this admin for them, beyond the cursory lip service.

[Hodgie]

If you want to feel like you’re on a Caribbean island without leaving the states hit Islamorada or one of the other Florida Keys.

These poor people are looming at 10 years minimum for this from what I’ve seen.

[LESchwartz]

Looks like the T&C are going to sentence three US citizens to prove a point about bringing stray rounds into the country:  https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/24/americas/turks-and-caicos-ammunition-american-sentencing/index.html.

MINIMUM sentence is 12 years in prison.

I expect they will have to make a big increase to their tourism advertising budget to recover from the self inflicted hit they're about to take.

Larry

[Onepoint]

Entirely ridiculous for the offense IMO.  It was a trivial mistake made in totalitarian state, should be a lesson there.

[LESchwartz]

Looks like the first sentence just came down, due to "exceptional circumstances" it is a 52-week suspended sentence and $6700 fine:  https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/24/americas/turks-and-caicos-ammunition-american-sentencing/index.html.

Better than the mandatory 12-year sentence he was looking at.  Still, $6700 is not just a "slap on the wrist".  Now if the other cases are similarly handled, everyone will get home in one piece.

Larry

[Onepoint]

I imagine he will gladly pay it, and probably won't hurt that much if he can afford Turks and Caicos to start with.