The Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis arrives at the Fox Hill Community Centre for a luncheon with pastors, greeted by FNM protestors chanting that the PM ‘got to go’ and for the removal of the National Security Minister Wayne Munroe. Photo: Chappell Whyms Jr
By JADE RUSSELL
Tribune Staff Reporter
jrussell@tribunmedia.net
PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis appeared frustrated yesterday by US officials’ failure to identify an unnamed high-ranking Bahamian politician mentioned in a recent federal indictment alleging that police and government officials helped smuggle tons of cocaine through The Bahamas to the US.
According to the US Southern District of New York’s explosive indictment, an unnamed politician was allegedly expected to authorise Bahamian law enforcement to facilitate a $2m cocaine trafficking scheme to the US.
“I told them to disclose to me the named politician,“ he said during a luncheon with local pastors about how to revitalise the role of churches in Bahamian society. “They haven’t done it yet. My colleagues don’t know.”
“They’re painting The Bahamas as a bunch of corrupt government officials.
“I asked them to identify who they are. Are they public servants? We do have bad apples amongst ourselves, and we got to root them out where we find them. But on several occasions, I asked them to help me identify them, and they haven’t. They’re prepared not to let me know who they are, but they’re prepared to indict them.”
One pastor raised concerns about how The Bahamas’ international reputation could be affected by the lack of information government and police officials have about the people responsible for the alleged crimes.
“There’s no doubt that it’s tarnishing to The Bahamas a bit and unfairly so,” Mr Davis said, adding that he won’t let the country’s reputation be tarnished unfairly. “I’ve met with them and told them my position on it.”
He noted that he nor Commissioner of Police Clayton Fernander, who recently resigned, had any knowledge of the US indictment before it was exposed, suggesting he was just as shocked as the public.
He said he contacted the former Commissioner of Police, senior officers, and the US Chargé d’affaires, all of whom indicated to him that they were unaware of the allegations in the indictment.
Nonetheless, he maintained that the country’s standing on the “international scene has never been better”.
Mr Davis said when making allegations, the US isn’t aware of local political parties but sees The Bahamas as just a little “black country.”
He said the country is left struggling to defend itself against major allegations.
At one point, in response to a pastor’s question, Mr Davis played a CBS news recording where dozens of US law enforcement leaders — sheriffs, captains, lieutenants, chiefs of police — were allegedly caught buying and illegally selling firearms across 23 US states, Puerto Rico and Washington, DC.
Mr Davis said he did not play the audio to excuse the shocking allegations against The Bahamas but suggested the US is familiar with similar challenges.
Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell told reporters that the government is still awaiting a response from US officials to a diplomatic note his ministry sent requesting more details about the unnamed Bahamian politician.
US officials have not arrested all Bahamians named in the federal indictment, some of whom are believed to be in The Bahamas. Mr Mitchell declined to discuss possible extradition proceedings, noting he is the minister responsible for such matters.
In response to an allegation circulating last night about the Minister of National Security alleging a conversation took place between the US Chargé d’Affaires and Mr Davis, Mr Mitchell blamed the FNM for the story, saying: “That story by the FNM is a lie.” He did not provide evidence for his claim.
Comments
whatsup 3 hours, 26 minutes ago
If the PM knows there are 'Bad Apples" why don't he get rid of them, why does he need the USA to tell him who they are
tetelestai 3 hours, 11 minutes ago
I think the point is that he knows that there are bad apples everywhere, but not who they are specifically. Of course, I may be naive too.
Empiricist 3 hours, 21 minutes ago
This photo of Brave is looking like something to come. It looks like he is arrested and handcuffed. And being led into the lockups where he will eventually end up. Who does he think will believe his lie that the Americans have not yet released the name of the politician involved in this case ? They have released the other names but not the big guy. Please. Really. Come on.
Dawes 3 hours, 12 minutes ago
It is very telling to most if they ain't willing to tell you who yet. Either there is no one, or they don't trust the information with him.
Baha10 3 hours, 1 minute ago
Playing the “little black country” Race Card won’t help … and is embarrassing to our international standing as a relatively diverse Country that has attracted some of the wealthiest people on the planet of all Nationalities to take up residence here and regard The Bahamas very much as “Home”!
This Case is about Corruption, not Race!
bahamianson 2 hours, 47 minutes ago
They all know there are bad apples, that is why no one talks on the other. If one rats out about a contract , the other rats out also. Only politicians, lovers and friends get the good jobs, contracts and board placement in this country. What is the point in voting, you might as well become a politician and GET YOURS.
bahamianson 2 hours, 33 minutes ago
Little Black Country? Reminds me of people when in arguments. When they have no points, they cuss and carry on. What a racist thing to say and not one a Prime Minister should stoop so low to say. Gain merit on your accomplishments, not the colour of your skin.
whatsup 1 hour, 30 minutes ago
He could have said little country but had to say 'BLACK COUNTRY' What about the white Bahamians? The PLP are only for black bahamians and no descent bahamian should be ok with that
whatsup 1 hour, 30 minutes ago
DICTATORSHIP IN THIS COUNTRY
birdiestrachan 1 hour, 21 minutes ago
The Bahamas is a black country. Remember Emmett Till it was not that long ago but some of it still remains. There are many positive things . But much negative still exist.
pt_90 1 hour, 20 minutes ago
The PM is talking out of both sides of his mouth.
If I get arrested my defense cant be to pull out a video of other people committing crimes.
Further, if there is nothing to see here, why did in no less than a week, you bring a bunch of laws. Obviously you know that is a problem. He said ' We will have change, we will have reform, and we will have action.'. Why do you need these if there is nothing wrong?
Lastly, why even bring up race. The SDNY Attorney who brought the indictment is a black dude himself and also charged Colombians. The SDNY has indicted people of all colors, races and nationalities. How many black Bahamians were indicted by them in the FTX affair?
whatsup 42 minutes ago
Good thing that plane crashed last week in Acklins with $15M in cocaine or we would have never known about it. Who was involved in that????
Baha10 39 minutes ago
We are truly now at the bottom of the barrel with this “little black country” being uttered publicly by our Prime Minister no less … so degrading, humiliating and embarrassing … sad, sad day for this beautiful and once proud Country😢
ThisIsOurs 23 minutes ago
Could the person asking the question be "the" person?? It cant more than 5 possibilities of who could command the Armed Forces to transport cocaine in partnership with a Colombian cartel and give assurance that the participants would be reasonably protected from detection and "local" penalties
whatsup 15 minutes ago
Why don't we know the name of the person or persons who gave permission for the plane to land and take off with $15M cocaine aboard?
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