Grenadian police report increase in use of false travel documents

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, CMC

Grenadian police have reported a significant increase in the number of persons who have been caught using bogus travel documents at the island’s Point Salines International Airport.



According to law enforcement officials, who oversee the Immigration Department here, the perpetrators are mainly of Middle Eastern and African origin.



“In recent times, especially for this year, we have realised that persons from these countries are actually using Grenada as a gateway to the United States and the United Kingdom,” said Linda Francis, an officer attached to the Immigration Department.



But she said surveillance has being increased and that violators will be charged under Grenadian law and deported to their country of origin.



“I am concerned about what is happening,” Francis said, explaining that “every two weeks we are seeing them coming to Grenada from South America and telling officers that they are here on vacation, but will spend two days and (then) depart on a flight to the UK and USA”.



She said that usually, those in-transit visitors have travel documents purportedly from a European country.



In the latest such case, a couple claiming to be nationals of Sweden, upon interrogation by police, were found to be citizens of Iran. Police said they discovered the couple’s Iranian passports, which the travellers sought to conceal on their bodies.



After appearing before a magistrate, a deportation order was issued for the couple. They are due to leave Grenada on Friday. So far for 2009, more than 10 persons from the Middle East or Africa have been deported from the island.