Mehul Choksi: Jolly Harbour's high security could make any abduction unthinkable

St Johns, Antigua and Barbuda: Mehul Choksi - an Indian fugitive captured by the Dominica's  Criminal Investigation Department (CID), lived in the Jolly Harbour - a resort village on the west-coast of the Caribbean island of Antigua. 

The area is the township of mostly High Net Worth Individuals (HNWIs) and is surrounded by several private security check posts. Abduction or forcefully taking someone away from the high-security area is merely impossible by any means.

[caption id="attachment_34981" align="alignnone" width="2396"] Harbour Island in Jolly Harbour[/caption]

According to information, Mehul Choksi owns two luxurious villas in the Harbour Island situated at the Jolly Harbour resort village, where he spent most of his time. After Choksi's sudden disappearance in Antigua and outrageous arrest in Dominica, his local lawyers claimed he was abducted and forcefully taken away from Antigua.

WIC News correspondent in Antigua and Barbuda did some research and found out that there are total 6 high securities check-posts and CCTV surveillance are surrounding the Jolly Harbour area, with one on the entry of the resort village and another on the exit through the seaways. Most of the checkpoints require non-residents of the area to give their identity proof and reason to enter the area. 

[caption id="attachment_34984" align="alignleft" width="331"] Advanced CCTV Cameras installed in Jolly Harbour vicinity[/caption]

Officials of Jolly Harbour Marian and Boatyard said that they provide 24/7 security cover with well-trained officers who provide surveillance and have a pro-active approach. They have strategically placed CCTV cameras in the whole vicinity and the surveillance is operated from the main security office by trained security personnel. 

The correspondent told that the officials spare no vehicle, pedestrian or even cyclists at check-posts to ensure the security of the ultra-rich residing in the community.

[caption id="attachment_34983" align="aligncenter" width="444"] Office of Security in Jolly Harbour[/caption]

The area has advanced CCTV cameras installed at every footstep to capture activities happening across the Jolly Harbour Resort village; the footage is closely monitored by the special security and other personal security officials of the individuals owning their luxury villas in the area. In such circumstances, abduction of a person is exceptionally unthinkable. Reliable sources revealed that Mehul Choksi was always escorted by two PSOs (Personal Security Officer) and a drive whenever he used to leave his home.

The security forces also keep an eagle eye on the boats, yachts, or other watercrafts passing through the waters of the area. While the authorities are still investigating how he escaped Antigua and Barbuda, his lawyer's story does not add up with the tight security of the Jolly Harbour area where many other high-profile people reside.