The taxi driver was arrested while the police were on patrol. This case made it clear that Suriname’s borders are still vulnerable and that local facilitators help foreigners to enter the country illegally. Reports indicate that 49-year-old DP alias Dew was arrested in the Rambharan-Mishreweg. The police zeroed in on the taxi driver after having monitored his movements for a while. The suspect was transporting six illegal immigrants from the Dominican Republic namely 3 women and 3 men. The foreigners were identified as 29-year-old NP, 22-year-old HH, 31-year-old CM, 19-year-old IG, 40-year-old MS and 28-year-old FS. All of the Dominican s had a valid passport but did not enter Suriname via the official channels. They travelled to neighboring Guyana via Panama and most likely entered Suriname via the so called Back Track route. This illegal route is often linked to the smuggling of persons and goods. The police also seized the car of the taxi driver and the mobile phones of the illegal foreigners. The taxi driver and his passengers were taken to the Paradise Police Station for questioning. The police arrested the taxi driver on suspicion of trafficking in persons.

Immigration Services is in charge of the ongoing investigation.