10 Haitian migrants intercepted at sea

As of Friday, July 5, 2019

Some of the migrants arrive in Grand Bahama.

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

TEN Haitian migrants, including six minors, were intercepted at sea this week by the US Coast Guard and taken to Grand Bahama on Thursday.

Two men, two women, and six minors, five girls and one boy, ranging in age from 14 years to 17 years, were turned over to Bahamas Immigration officials in Freeport.

A Bahamian man, who is believed to be the operator and captain of the vessel, along with five other persons, were detained in custody by the US Coast Guard and taken to the US for further investigation and to face possible human trafficking charges.

Immigration officer Napthali Cooper reported that the USGC Cutter Bernard C Webber arrived in Freeport around 5.30pm with the migrants.

He said that the group were interdicted at sea on Wednesday, July 3, while travelling in a 30ft Cuddy Cabin vessel, approximately 10 miles east of Boynton Beach, Florida.

Mr Cooper said that on board at the time were 16 persons suspected of being engaged in an illegal migrant voyage. The vessel, which was operated by a Bahamian and five others, had departed Grand Bahama.

The Haitian detainees told Immigration officials that they left Grand Bahama Tuesday evening for the United States.

Mr Cooper said that the four adult Haitians are expected to be charged before the courts with illegal landing and illegal embarkation, while the minors will be flown to New Providence to await repatriation to Haiti.

BahamaRed 5 years, 5 months ago

US Coast Guard think they slick, why didn't they detain them in Florida. No they brought them back to The Bahamas so our government now as to foot the bill for repatriation. Meanwhile they detained the Bahamian captain in America to charge him there, because they know if they brought him here he would get off easy.

Boy I tell you, our government are such pushovers. They should have made the US keep them, 10miles of the coast of Boynton Beach is US waters.

DDK 5 years, 5 months ago

You are exactly right! This is their normal m.o. They patrol The Bahamas to make sure the immigrants don't get to Trump Land! It's a floating SEA WALL!

Well_mudda_take_sic 5 years, 5 months ago

When Minnis was summonsed to meet with President Trump and John Bolton at Mar-a-Lago a few months ago, they told him in no uncertain terms that the Bahamas must do much more to stop the flow of illegal immigrants into Florida or the U.S. State Department would have to consider invoking a travel ban on Americans coming to the Bahamas and/or revoke visa privileges for Bahamians wanting to visit the U.S. That's the harsh reality of the situation and the tough talk we now get from our neighbour to the north because of their belief that our corrupt politicians have sold the Bahamas to communist regime of Red China. We've brought this on ourselves by allowing our system of government to be hijacked by corrupt politicians, whether they be of the PLP or FNM kind, who are hell bent on legalizing as many illegal immigrants as they possibly can as a means for them to grow the base of easily manipulated dumb voters that they need stay in power. And this is precisely what President Trump is trying to prevent from happening to the U.S.

TheMadHatter 5 years, 5 months ago

Why bring the to Grand Bahama? Why not take them back home to Abaco. Isn't that now under the authority of Port au Prince?

DiverBelow 5 years, 5 months ago

Stoped in International Waters, intended destination? It's from where they started from prior to being caught. If it was Cuba, they go back to Cuba. If Mexico, they go back to Mexico. If DR, they go back to DR. The operator of the vessel is always retained, irrelevant of nationality.