Haitians flock to Suriname

Police reports suggest that a growing number of Haitians are making their way to Suriname. The Haitians reportedly head for neighboring Guyana before crossing the Corantijn River to reach Suriname. On December 10 the police caught 18 illegal Haitians in the Saramacca District. The 3 Surinamese citizens who were transporting the illegal immigrants were also arrested. On December 14 the police arrested 24 Haitians who had entered Suriname illegally. The illegal immigrants were arrested in a house located along the Ciwinistraat at the Van Petten polder. The police raided the house after having received an anonymous tip. Police reports indicate that there were 9 men, 5 women and 10 children. The Surinamese couple that lived at the address was also taken into custody. Acting Regional Police Chief of Suriname West, Chief Inspector Retitia Forster, pointed out that it is no secret that Haitians are trying to enter Suriname. “They have also heard about the registration of illegal immigrants and that the registration ends on December 25. Everybody is trying to seize this opportunity,” said Forster who added that human traffickers are running their operations from the Nickerie District. The illegal immigrants and the Surinamese couple have been handed over to the Trafficking in Persons Department of the Police Force Suriname.