Bahamas authorities detain 54 Haitian migrants, seize drugs in Exumas interception

Bahamian law enforcement authorities detained 54 Haitian migrants, including a three-year-old child, and seized suspected illegal drugs after intercepting a vessel in the Exumas on Sunday.

The Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) said it received updated intelligence from United States partners about a vessel suspected of transporting migrants and illegal drugs in the vicinity of Ship Channel Cay and Beacon Cay.

“United States partners provided updated intelligence regarding a vessel suspected of transporting migrants and illegal drugs in the vicinity of Ship Channel Cay and Beacon Cay,” the RBDF said.

The force dispatched HMBS Maderia, along with U.S. air assets and personnel from the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, to search the area. Early Monday, the vessel was located near Norman’s Cay and Wax Cay.

Officers who boarded the vessel found 54 Haitian migrants, including six women and a three-year-old girl, as well as two bales of suspected marijuana and 10 bricks of suspected cocaine.

The migrants and suspected drugs were taken to the RBDF’s Coral Harbour Base for processing.

In a separate operation, the RBDF, in collaboration with the U.S. Coast Guard, seized a Bahamian-registered vessel and recovered 97 bales of suspected hydroponic marijuana weighing 2,318 pounds, with an estimated street value of US$5.9 million.

The RBDF said three Bahamian men, ages 35, 46, and 55, who were aboard the 35-foot go-fast vessel, were arrested.

The operation, which began last Friday, lasted two days and involved coordinated efforts between Bahamian and U.S. authorities.