A Bahamian national has been arrested for his alleged involvement in a human smuggling scheme that led to the deaths of multiple migrants.
Vandrick Nelson Smith, also known as Muggy and Vans, aged 33, was apprehended in the Bahamas on March 6, following collaborative efforts between U.S. and Bahamian authorities. The charges, initially filed under seal in November 2023, were unsealed on March 26.
According to court documents, Smith was allegedly involved in a human smuggling organization that attempted to bring migrants illegally from The Bahamas to the United States by boat. The migrants were nationals of Colombia, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti, among other countries.
The migrants (or their families and friends) allegedly paid the organization money to be smuggled to the United States. According to court documents, Smith was personally involved in three maritime human smuggling incidents — including one that resulted in five deaths.
“Human smuggling ventures put people’s lives at risk for the sake of profit,” said U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, commenting on the charges.
“Human smugglers prey on the migrants’ hopes for a better life. Tragically, the smugglers’ exploits pose a grave danger to migrants. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work with our partners to prosecute those who carry out illicit human smuggling operations to protect vulnerable migrants and save lives.”
Multiple charges
Smith allegedly was involved in three maritime human smuggling events that occurred on or about March 6, 2021; Jan. 22, 2022; and Aug. 8, 2022.
On the evening of Jan. 22, 2022, numerous migrants allegedly boarded a vessel in The Bahamas destined for Florida. Shortly after the vessel’s departure, the engines allegedly stopped functioning and the vessel capsized. On Jan. 25, 2022, the U.S. Coast Guard rescued the sole surviving migrant, who was found clinging to the top of the overturned vessel.
Smith is charged with five counts of attempting to bring noncitizens to the United States resulting in death stemming from the January 2022 venture. He is also charged with conspiring to bring noncitizens to the United States for profit, placing in jeopardy the life of noncitizens and resulting in death; attempting to bring noncitizens to the United States for profit; and attempting to aid and assist certain noncitizens to enter the United States.
If convicted of attempting to bring noncitizens to the United States resulting in death, Smith faces a maximum penalty of life in prison.
