Gareth Davis and Howard Campbell, Gleaner Writers

Twenty-three Haitians landed in Port Antonio, Portland, yesterday. The group, comprising 19 males and four females, is the largest to arrive in Jamaica since more than 300 of their countrymen were repatriated by the Government just over two years ago.

At 9:15 a.m. a local marine police patrol spotted the 20-foot boat carrying the Haitians just over one mile off the coast of Norwich. They were escorted to the Port Antonio Police Station.

The group includes three teenagers, two males and a female. They said they left their homeland, Saturday night, owing to political unrest. Police sources said at least one member of the group has been here before.

A team from the Ministry of Health examined the Haitians, who were transferred to the Port Antonio Rehabilitation Centre.

Hundreds of Haitians fled their poverty-stricken country in early 2004 to escape fighting among persons loyal to ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide and rebel forces. Many ended up in Jamaica and were temporarily accommodated at the Montpelier camp, in St. James.

Most of of them were repatriated by the Government, in June 2005.

In the meantime, there are conflicting reports regarding whether the Haitian boat was also transporting contraband.

Several residents of Norwich, who claimed they alerted the police regarding the presence of the boat people, are alleging that they witnessed items being dumped overboard by the refugees.

"We conducted a thorough search of the vessel, however, no contraband was recovered," said Corporal Dwayne Campbell, Constabulary Communication Network liaison officer for Portland.

Health team ready

And health officials, headed by Chief Public Health Inspector, Carman Ramtullah, are expressing confidence that the local health team, which is currently involved in malaria prevention projects, is equipped to deal with any eventualities posed by the Haitians.

"We have dealt with them in the past and this time around is no different," said Mr. Ramtullah. He admitted, however, that there was greater concern this time, arising from the recent outbreak of malaria, in sections of the island.

"But rest assured that we have a competent team, which will carry out screening and other aspect of testing for any communicable disease," he added.