Two weeks ago, American Ryan Watson traveled to the Turks and Caicos Islands with wife Valerie and two other couples.
The idea was that they would celebrate Ryan’s 40th birthday on the paradise island whose beaches are among the most beautiful in the world according to TripAdvisor.
But everything was put on hold because of a bag Watson was carrying.
When the airport staff went through it, they found four cartridges. Watson says he must have left them in his bag after a hunting trip several months earlier.
– I can’t remember putting any ammunition in the bag, but it was still there, says Watson.
Risks imprisonment for at least twelve years
In September, the US Embassy in the Bahamas issued a warning to Americans traveling to the Turks and Caicos Islands not to bring any weapons or ammunition.
“The penalty for traveling to the Turks and Caicos Islands with firearms, ammunition or other weapons is imprisonment for at least twelve years”the embassy wrote, urging travelers to double-check all baggage regarding this.
While Ryan Watson remains in the Turks and Caicos Islands awaiting trial, wife Valerie returned home to Oklahoma City on Tuesday. She says that “what would have been a dream holiday turned into a nightmare”.
– We packed shorts and sandals. We really had no intention of packing any ammunition,” Valerie told CBS News.
Her husband is not the only American caught with ammunition in the Turks and Caicos Islands recently. Pennsylvania resident Bryan Hagerich has been awaiting trial since cartridges were found in his luggage two months ago.
– The last 70 days have been a roller coaster of pain and suffering as my family is home but I’m still here, says Bryan Hagerich.
