Fourteen Chinese nationals were in the custody of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service after they were apprehended on St. John around 7:30 a.m. The four women and 10 men were spotted a short distance from where they came ashore in Fish Bay by citizens who called police to report their presence.
The Chinese nationals are all 18 to 20 years of age, according to Capt. Roberto Simmonds, commander of St. John’s Leander Jurgen Police Station. He told the Source that the group may have been dropped off along St. John's south coast. "It does appear that they swam to shore," he said.
The Chinese were detained at the Cruz Bay police station until INS agents arranged for their transfer. It was expected that the group would be detained over the weekend and face extradition proceedings Monday.
Attempts to reach officials at the local Immigration and Naturalization Service offices were unsuccessful on Saturday.
