Police arrest two suspects linked to fabricated visas, one with gang ties at Cap-Haïtien airport

CAP-HAÏTIEN — After hearing rumors about fake visas, counterfeit tickets and individuals with gang affiliations operating at Cap-Haïtien Hugo Chavez International Airport, the police increased their presence. They made three separate arrests over the past weekend.

“The police are confirming that they are investigating some groups that are giving people fake visas to make them travel to various countries,” Arold Jean, spokesperson of the police force in the Northern Department, told The Haitian Times.

On Sunday, Feb. 23, police arrested immigration agent Cald Philippe. A woman with a counterfeit visa accused Philippe of demanding payment for her to travel to Providenciales, Turks and Caicos. According to Jean, the woman, whose identity remains unknown, ultimately paid Philippe. The amount she paid Philippe was unclear, but a ticket from Cap-Haïtien to Providenciales costs around $200.

Other workers at the airport were surprised after hearing about Philippe’s arrest on Sunday.

“He’s very kind,” Hyppolite Beauvoir, a travel agent at the airport, said. “I didn’t expect him to get into something like this.”

Earlier on Sunday, police arrested a suspect for taking a picture of an immigration agent on duty at the airport to send to gang members. Jean said police could not disclose the suspect’s name as the investigation is ongoing.

On Saturday, Feb. 22, police arrested Kenelson Viléus for pocketing money from people for fake plane tickets. Police found three visas in Viléus’ backpack, but he denied any involvement, claiming a man named Manno gave them to him, according to local reporter Gérard Maxineau. 

“No, no, no, no, we’re not involved in this,” Viléus told Maxineau about the fabricated visa conspiracy. “They [police officers] added that part. I came here, and they said some people are giving fake visas.”

About a week before the arrests, residents accused an airline company, InterCaribbean Airways, of requiring passengers to pay an extra $USD 700 fee and of being part of a gang. InterCaribbean clarified to The Haitian Times that the passengers were traveling to Jamaica with one-way tickets. Since a roundtrip ticket is required, the airline asked them to purchase a return flight before boarding.

The National Airport Authority (AAN) has yet to respond to The Haitian Times’ request for an interview regarding the arrests. However, Cap-Haïtien residents welcomed the police investigation into the fabricated visa scandal and the recent arrests.

“I’m happy with the work they’re doing,” Beauvoir said. “I hope they can put an end to this. People are so vigilant now. It’s like if they’re talking bad about someone who lives with you, you’re going to keep an eye on him.”

Beauvoir added that if someone who is identified as a travel agent does not talk to his clients inside the airport, he might be pretending to be a travel agent. Multiple people have been victims of false travel agents’ schemes or acquired fabricated visas recently. 

Seventeen people tried to travel to Brazil with fabricated visas in December through InterCaribbean, the airline told The Haitian Times. False travel agencies also often book trips that do not even exist at the airport, taking advantage of Haitians struggling to make ends meet and looking for any way out of Haiti. They also cancel return trips and pocket the money even though it is needed to travel. 

Police are interviewing the suspects they arrested over the weekend. Beauvoir and other residents are hoping that the police will gather information that will help them put an end to the fabricated visas and fake flight conspiracy.

“The three arrests were very important,” Beauvoir said. “Things might run smoothly now. I think this will end.”

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