A soldier was among 20 persons held after the TTPS’ Coastal Support Unit intercepted a vessel off Trinidad’s North Coast on Monday.

Around 5:30am the Unit received information that a person of interest had been spotted in the First Boca/Monos Island area.

Soon after, officers intercepted a 28-foot pirogue, south of the Second Boca.

The vessel bore no name or registration number and carried 20 individuals.

Three were Trinidadian men from Carenage: a 29-year-old, a 32-year-old and 27-year-old Private in the T&T Regiment, who was the vessel’s captain.

The TTPS says the remaining 17 occupants appeared to be foreign nationals consisting of 11 men, three women, one male child, and two female children.

None were carrying travel documents.

The TTPS says although no illegal items were found on board, officers seized TT$11,420 and US$20 in cash, along with two bottles of alcohol, a market bag containing crabs, and a cooler with guavas.

Following the initial detention at Coast Guard Headquarters at Staubles Bay, 12 persons were released on an Order of Supervision, while five persons were sent to the Immigration Detention Centre.

The vessel’s captain will appear before the Chief Immigration Officer to answer 34 breaches: 17 for transporting persons without a passport and a further 17 for transporting persons without a Visa.