Bahamian authorities detain foreign nationals in possible human smuggling ring

Bahamian officials said they detained 22 foreigners, including two children on Sunday, June 4, after intercepting a 32-foot vessel in Bahamian waters carrying a United States flag in a possible human smuggling ring.

“We are going to remain firm. We are going to be relentless in our pursuit and once we find out you are engaging in human smuggling, human trafficking we’re going to place you before the courts and you will rightly go where you rightly deserve,” Police Press Liaison Officer, Chief Superintendent Chrislyn Skippings, told reporters.

She said that the group included 13 men, six women, two children and one infant from Ecuador, Italy, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Brazil. They were reportedly on their way to North America.

The migrants were apprehended by the Royal Bahamas Police Force Marine Unit, who acted on intelligence and intercepted the vessel west of New Providence.

The police said they have since handed over the migrants to the Immigration Department for processing.

CMC/