Two hundred and seventeen (217) suspected Haitian migrants were apprehended in a joint operation between the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, United States Coast Guard (USCG) and the Cuban Border Patrol.On Tuesday 15th November the Royal Bahamas Defence Force received intel from the Cuban Border Patrol and Operation Bahamas Turks and Caicos (OPBAT) in reference to an estimated 40ft blue and white Haitian Sailing Vessel with some 100 plus migrants on board approximately 11.72 nm off Anguilla Cay. The Haitian Sailing Vessel (HSV) was intercepted the following day off Dog Rock Cay by the USCG United States Coast Guard Cutters William Flores and Escanaba.On Saturday 19th November 2022 the United States Coast Guard Cutter handed over two hundred and seventeen (217) migrants consisting of one hundred and thirty-four (134) adult males, thirteen (13) minor males, forty-five (45) adult females, and twenty-five (25) minor females to His Majesty Bahamian Ship (HMBS) Lawrence Major.The migrants appeared to be in good health and were brought to HMBS Coral Harbour, with twelve (12) having to receive minor medical attention from RBDF medical staff upon arrival. All 217 migrants were turned over to the Department of Immigration for further processing.The Royal Bahamas Defence Force continues to defend our nation’s borders.(RBDF photos by Marine Seaman Rickey Sealy)
