The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

TWO Bahamians have been taken into custody by US authorities to face charges of human trafficking in a Florida Court after they were caught trying to smuggle 19 Haitian migrants to Florida.

According to reports, US Coast Guard officials intercepted a speedboat around 4am on Tuesday in the Lake Worth inlet. Two Bahamian men and group of 19 Haitians were taken into custody.

The migrants - 10 men and nine females, including three girls, some pictured being brought to shore - were processed by US Coast Guard officials and transported by vessel to Grand Bahama, where they were turned over to Immigration officials on their arrival at Freeport Harbour.

The migrants told officials that they all resided in Abaco and were trying to relocate to the US. The group, which left on Sunday evening, further told officials that relatives had paid the smugglers for passage to the US.

The migrants were processed in Freeport and are expected to be transported to the New Providence, where they will be detained at the Detention Centre to await repatriation.

Photo: Vandyke Hepburn