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Four Americans are allegedly being held as hostages in a British Virgin Islands hotel room because they accidentally sailed into restricted waters due to COVID-19 regulations, according to Fox News.
Lynn Hines said her husband, two friends, and herself, realized they had sailed too far but only after sailing a mile and a half into the restricted zone.
They had turned the boat around but it was already too late and Customs Agents caught up with them shortly afterwards.
“This is where they took our passports and all the boat’s documentation and then stated that you are being charged with trying to enter the country illegally, not coming to a port of entry and they carry two $10,000 fines,” Hines said.
“We are hostages being held for ransom and not being charged. The only one charged is the boat owner.”
“We have been informed because we were on the boat we were also in territorial waters and also being detained.”
“We were told that customs was not handling the case, that immigration was handling the case.”
“Then, it was immigration’s not handling the case, now the prosecutor’s handling the case.”
“We take seriously our responsibility to assist U.S. citizens abroad, and are providing all appropriate consular services. We remain in communication with the detained U.S citizens.”
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The boat turned around to head back, but it was too late and they were met by Customs agents.
Since then, they’ve been detained in a single hotel room, which they say is overrun with bugs and has a broken sink, news station WSOC reported.
He claimed that the captain has tried to pay the $20,000 fine, but he only has credit cards and the customs officials want cash.
On Monday, the group said they’re still waiting to appear in court and hopefully secure their release.
The U.S. State Department said it is aware of the matter and is providing assistance to the foursome.
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