Island in a private jet.

Yesterday Acting Chief Immigration Officer Dr. Martin Brewer defended the cost of the flight on Saturday.

He said the United States and Canada had blocked plans to use a commercial plane to deport the Dominican Republic stowaways.

Both refused to allow the stowaways to land on their soil to catch connecting flights to Santo Domingo.

And it would have been too expensive to fly the pair via London, as Britain would only accept one immigrant at a time.

"It would have cost us $17,000 to make two flights,'' explained Dr. Brewer.

He added the Lear jet -- hired from an America company -- was already in Bermuda.

It had flown here on Friday on a charter trip, which reduced the hiring cost.

Said Dr. Brewer: "It turned out to be very opportune, and it was much cheaper for us.

"In fact we deported the men at the cheapest possible cost.'' Dr. Brewer said America and Canada did not want to take the risk of the immigrants escaping.

And British Airways had also asked for an indemnity to cover them against such a risk.

Mr. Jose Ramorez and Mr. Carlos Morell were deported on Saturday morning.

With them were Mr. Ramorez's lawyer Mr. Mark Pettingill, an interpreter and two Bermudian immigration officers. They were flown back in the afternoon.

The plane took off shortly after 9 a.m. following lengthy discussions over paperwork.

It ended a five-week nightmare for the stowaways.

The pair had stowed away on board an oil tanker, jumping ship in St. George's believing they were in New York.

Mr. Ramorez was arrested in July on suspicion of stealing from a clothesline, and convicted on immigration offences.

Mr. Pettingill had fought for his client's release, arguing he was jailed for longer than was allowed.

He was freed last week on bail, and allowed to stay at the Salvation Army Harbour Light Hostel.

Mr. Morell has been in Casemates more than a month preparing to be deported.

As he was preparing to leave Bermuda, Spanish-speaking Mr. Ramorez said he was thrilled that weeks of turmoil was ending.

He punched the air, hugged Mr. Pettingill and exclaimed: "I am very happy.

"I don't know what I would have done without Mr. Pettingill.'' Mr. Ramorez, who doesn't have a mother or father, faces an uncertain future in the homeland he left to escape life as a beggar.

"I am just going to take things easily,'' he said, adding that he had never flown before.

Mr. Ramorez, who made an apparent suicide attempt while locked up, hoped to be staying with family and friends on his return.

Mr. Pettingill said Mr. Ramorez's imprisonment had flouted fundamental principles.

He had been in Casemates longer than the legal limit of 28 days.

But Mr. Pettingill said he was glad Mr. Ramorez had also seen another side to Bermuda.

Locals had backed Mr. Ramorez's $1,000 bail, and helped his case.

"While he was in the hostel he never left unless he was with someone,'' said Mr. Pettingill. "He worked very hard, and got on with everybody there.'' Mr. Pettingill defended the cost of deporting the two men by private jet. "I don't think in the end it would have made a great deal of difference if we had to buy tickets for them to leave.'' PLANE CRAZY? -- Immigration officers and the stowaways prepare to board the Lear jet, the cost of which has raised eyebrows.

I HAND IT TO YOU, AMIGO! -- Stowaway Jose Ramorez gives his lawyer Mr. Mark Pettingill a hug as the end of his Bermudian nightmare nears.