(CMR) Last night there was an operation carried out at the Cayman Islands Port under the direction of the Cayman Islands Border Control agency (CBC). There were numerous tipsters that reached out to CMR indicating that a “raid' was underway and that staff was placed in a room. CMR obtained CCTV footage from the cameras on location that clearly showed several CBC vehicles on site.
We also received confirmation that the vessel was a Seaboard vessel and today they have issued a statement in relation to the matter via representative of the company. They have shared that:
“One of our vessels last night experienced a random spot check from the CBC for possible illegal contraband and/or stowaway that may unfortunately make its way onto our shores via cargo containers. As a long servicing member of the Cayman Islands community we wholeheartedly welcome such random rummage spot checks by the CBC. As we have done for many decades of service to the Cayman Islands we value each and every customer and such necessary operations are necessary and comes with the line of work we are in. To that end, we are pleased to report that our seaboard vessel was released on or about 10:30 pm 21st Nov. 2019 by CBC after confirming that there was NO contraband or stowaways on board.”
CMR has confirmed that it's customary for such searches to require staff to be quarantined to a particular area in order to protect the integrity of the operation. In this case, we understand they were made to remain in the lunchroom whilst the search was being conducted. Furthermore, we do understand that this is the first time in a number of years that a Seaboard vessel has been subjected to one of these random checks. We can further confirm that initial reports that a male was arrested were not accurate.
CBC under the leadership of Charles Clifford has seen a number of high profile operations and record number of contraband being recovered.
Seaboard Marine was established in 1983 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Seaboard Corporation, a premier ocean transportation company. Seaboard provides direct, regular service between North America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean Basin. With a fleet of over twenty-five vessels serving nearly forty ports, Seaboard Marine is a trade leader in the Western Hemisphere. They are located in Cannon Place.
- Fascinated
- Happy
- Sad
- Angry
- Bored
- Afraid
