The Tribune

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS

Tribune Staff Reporter

lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

FORMER Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis has renewed his call for a Commission of Inquiry following a recent US federal indictment alleging that high-ranking Bahamian officials and law enforcement officers were involved in drug trafficking operations to the United States.

The indictment, filed by the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, claims that drug traffickers have smuggled tons of cocaine through The Bahamas since 2021 with the support of corrupt Bahamian government officials, including members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF). 

Police Chief Superintendent Elvis Curtis and Defence Force Chief Petty Officer Darren Roker had been arrested in Florida on charges of conspiracy to import cocaine, firearm possession, and firearms conspiracy. The officers will face trial in federal courts in New York. Additionally, Sergeant Prince Albert Symonette, a retired officer, was named in the indictment and has been suspended from duty.

The case adds to growing concerns over the leadership of Bahamian law enforcement. Earlier this year, leaked voice notes involving a senior police officer and gang members prompted an FBI-assisted investigation, leading to the placement of the head of the Criminal Investigation Division, Michael Johnson, on garden leave.

Dr Minnis called for a Commission of Inquiry into the police force, saying it would help “purge the force” of corruption and offer an opportunity to reset its direction. 

“You would have bad apples out there, but in any family, any organisation, there are bad apples, but you have to clean it out,” he said yesterday. 

He stressed that such an inquiry would ensure a complete re-evaluation of the force.

“I have been asking for a purge for a very long time,” Dr Minnis said. “I have been asking for a Commission of Inquiry for a very long time. There were some who argued that if you have a Commission of Inquiry, you would basically cause great damage to the police force, but do we leave it in a state it is so that these matters will continue?”  

Dr Minnis suggested that the police force, like the judiciary, should have its salary review commission to eliminate political influence over pay and benefits, with reviews conducted every three years.

According to the federal indictment, the corruption began by May 2021. Dr Minnis was still prime minister at that time. 

“I cannot tolerate it, I cannot stand it, so believe me, if I knew of any that occurred under us, I would have dealt with it appropriately,” Dr Minnis said. “But I know of none offhand.”

“But if any occurred under my administration, they know exactly how I feel. They would hide and keep that away from me because, like I say, I am totally against corruption. Corruption destroys countries.”