Three of the 62 Haitian refugees who arrived in Portland, Jamaica by boat on Tuesday are now in police custody after it was discovered that they are prison escapees from the earthquake ravaged country.
Following investigations by the intelligence arm of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, it was revealed that the three Haitians were among prisoners who were freed when January's earthquake destroyed correctional facilities.
They were immediately removed from the rest of the Haitians on Wednesday and taken into custody.
Inspector Steve Brown, Head of Constabulary Communication Network, the information arm of the police force, says it is unclear whether the escapees will be sent back to Haiti at this time.
"We're not sure what will happen as the government had said we have two weeks with them but from a police perspective, we're doing what we're supposed to do," he said.
Daryl Vaz, Information Minister, is to hold a press conference Friday morning to discuss the fate of the other Haitians who are presently being housed at facilities in Portland.