The Tribune

By NICO SCAVELLA

Tribune Staff Reporter

nscavella@tribunemedia.net

A TOTAL of 23 suspected Haitian migrants were apprehended in the Yamacraw area yesterday, with many more suspected to be at large, Department of Immigration officials said yesterday.

Kirklyn Neely, officer in charge of enforcement, told The Tribune that although 20 men, two women and one child were taken into custody yesterday, officials still have to “go back out in the morning” and conduct additional searches, given that the vessel they arrived on can hold an estimated 150 to 200 persons.

According to Mr Neely, the apprehension took place at around 2pm in the Hanna Road area. He said it was made possible by “private citizens” who notified the department of possible migrant sightings, although he said they gave the department different locations, ranging from Hanna Road to the Seabreeze area.

He also said there were claims that some persons were spotted near the canal in the Seabreeze area. The Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) assisted the department in a search of that location. It proved fruitless.

“We didn’t find anybody there so like I said we have to go back out tomorrow morning and beat the areas, get some more people,” he said.

In March, over 60 suspected Haitian migrants were apprehended in waters just off the Exuma chain, according to RBDF officials.

At the time, patrol craft P-49 under Chief Petty Officer Ross Seymour, apprehended 64 migrants — 54 males and nine females — near the northern end of Ship Channel Cay.

The migrants were taken to New Providence and handed over to the relevant authorities for further processing.

Last December, the bodies of four women washed ashore in southern New Providence and dozens of Haitian migrants were picked up by law enforcement after a sloop capsized.

At the time, RBDF and immigration officials said they received reports that dozens of suspected migrants could be seen attempting to make it to land from a stranded vessel in waters next to the Misty Gardens community.

Once on that scene, RBDF officers intercepted about 42 suspected Haitian migrants at various points throughout the community - 20 in waters near the capsized vessel and the remaining 22 in bushes near the coastline. The group included 29 men and 13 women.