THE RBDF boarding team apprehending 87 Haitian migrants off Great Inagua on Saturday, December 23. Photo: USCG
THE Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) apprehended more than 100 migrants in two separate exercises on Saturday and yesterday.
Most of the migrants were Haitians who were found aboard a sloop near Inagua on Saturday. According to the RBDF, HMBS Leon Smith, commanded by Lieutenant Commander Stephen Rolle, was on patrol in the southern Bahamas when it intercepted, boarded and subsequently detained the vessel some 30 miles southwest of Great Inagua.
The vessel was sighted and reported to the RBDF’s Operations Command Centre by a US Coast Guard fixed wing asset which was also operating in the area.
The vessel which originated from Île de la Tortue, Haiti, had a total of 87 migrants - 72 males, 12 females and three children - on board.
On Tuesday morning, 14 foreign nationals from five countries were apprehended for illegal entry into the Bahamas by members of the RBDF’s Harbour Patrol Unit.
While on routine patrol after 5am, HMBS P-40 spotted a 36-ft Sun Dancer Cabin Cruiser named “Code Blue” near Montagu Beach. After conducting a routine boarding and search of the vessel, it was discovered that the 14 individuals on board did not possess the necessary documents to enter the country.
The vessel and its crew were subsequently taken into custody. The foreigners, consisting of nine Ecuadorians, one Colombian, one Dominican, one Jamaican and one American were later handed over to police and immigration officials for further investigation.
The RBDF said it has been involved in the apprehension of 1,200 migrants, mostly Haitian nationals, for the year.
Comments
sheeprunner12 6 years, 10 months ago
Good work RBDF .......... how many yachts that pass through our waters may be actually smuggling illegal immigrants and other contraband????? ........ HMMMMMMM
birdiestrachan 6 years, 10 months ago
They do not care what roc wit doc has to say. Instead of leaving they are coming by the boat loads. And they can call Mr: Symonette to have their children enrolled in school It is the peoples time all right. They never said what people.
realitycheck242 6 years, 10 months ago
I salute the men of the RBDF who daily sacrifice family time and brave the elements to keep our borders protected.
TheMadHatter 6 years, 10 months ago
Free school !!!
Free clinics !!!
Free land !!!
All aboard !!!
eulalia109 6 years, 10 months ago
What about de 12 brazilians and 5 dominicans who disappeared in Nassau 6 november 2016? Anda what about one another brazilian who disappeared in last 6 august in Freeport? And what about a peruvian tourist who disappeared in 2015? Bahamas is a danger place !!!
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