IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT'S NEW DEVICES Tuesday 10th July 2012
The Immigration Department has just been outfitted with new equipment to detect fraudulent documents. The eye-D/C1-Foster+Freeman, a compact portable device for checking travel documents, was handed over to Minister of National Security & Labour Dr Errol Cort and his staff yesterday by Second Secretary of the British High Commission in Barbados Daniel Carruthers.
A release from the Ministry of National Security and Labour said the lightweight machine, valued at EC $10,000, is the only one of its kind in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). The presentation “was a part of the United Kingdom’s efforts to bolster international border control and security in light of their hosting of the Olympics games in a few weeks and being conscious of the increasing international security needs,” the communiqué read.
Carruthers added that the UK has had a close working relationship with the Antigua & Barbuda Immigration Service and as a small token he was delighted to be able to contribute the new piece of equipment. Minister Cort accepted the device on behalf of the Immigration Department, noting the Government of Antigua & Barbuda was very happy that the UK Government had seen it fit to donate such a valuable piece of equipment.
“The eye-D/C1-Foster+Freeman is designed to check standard security features in travel documents and can be deployed to improve national and border security and will be based at the VC Bird International Airport,” the release read. “However … it can also be utilised by other departments within the Ministry such as the Passport and Citizen Office, who currently send documents to IMPACS for verification.” Click here for all News and Specials for Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority
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