The Tribune

POLICE swooped on a sailboat loaded with suspected cocaine in what was reported last night as a major drug bust.

Officers held six men as part of the raid, which took place at Great Inagua. Also seized was a large quantity of what is thought to be cocaine. At the time of going to press, police sources could not say exactly how much had been seized, as officers were still counting and weighing the packages. The operation was carried out alongside members of the US Coast Guard’s Operation Bahamas, Turks and Caicos (OPBAT).

The six men being held by police are all Haitians, and are in custody facing possession charges.

A police statement last night said: “Officers of the Drug Enforcement Unit, along with OPBAT at Great Inagua, arrested the men around 4pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013.

“Preliminary reports indicate that officers acting on information conducted a search of a sailboat, called Trinity, occupied by the men and discovered the drugs.

“The weight and estimated street value of the suspected cocaine will be provided (later)... as police are still presently investigating.”

In other crime news, police are questioning a 20-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy in connection with a recent armed robbery.

The incident reportedly occurred on January 31, at a business on John and Baillou Hill Roads.

A police statement said that officers of the Selective Enforcement Team arrested the teenage boy at about 1pm yesterday at Rupert Dean Lane and Dunmore Street, after he was found driving a black 2002 Honda Accord. Acting on information, the officers arrested the second suspect a short time later on East Street.

• A police traffic operation on Wednesday between 4pm and midnight in the area of Kemp Road, St James Road, Sutton Street and Bay and George Streets saw 136 drivers cited for traffic offences. In addition, two people were arrested on outstanding warrants and one person for possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply.