Defence Headquarters, 19 May. ‘23 (RBDF): Two Bahamian males along with an undetermined amount of suspected illegal narcotics were apprehended near Duncan Town, Ragged Island following the joint efforts of Operations Bahamas Turks and Caicos (OPBAT), Cuban Border Guard, US Coast Guard, the Drug Enforcement Unit of the RBPF, and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force.
On Thursday May 18, the RBDF Operations Command Center received information from OPBAT that a suspicious go fast vessel (GFV) was sighted near Duncan Town, Ragged Island. The Cuban Border Patrol was then notified and ensued the suspected vessel, which was subsequently intercepted by the USCG Cutter DEPENDABLE in Bahamian jurisdiction.
RBDF surface asset HMBS LIGNUM VITAE rendezvoused with USCGC DEPENDABLE at Duncan Town, Ragged Island, and both Bahamian occupants and the vessel were taken into custody.
The men and suspected contraband were brought to the capital and turned over to the relevant authorities. The quantity of drugs confiscated weighed 1,142 pounds with an estimated street value of $1,142,000.
It is the intent of the Commander Defence Force, Commodore Raymond King to maintain maritime domain awareness and control through information sharing between local law enforcement agencies and regional partners as a force multiplier to address potential threats.
(RBDF photos by Marine Seaman Rickey Sealey)
