Ninety-four (94) suspected Haitian migrants were recently apprehended in a joint effort between the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF), Operation Bahamas Turks and Caicos (OPBAT) and local residents.This morning OPBAT reported a sighting of a Haitian sailing vessel off of Little Ragged Island with approximately100 persons on board. A RBDF fast patrol vessel coxswained by Petty Officer Orentris Smith was then dispatched to the area to investigate. Shortly thereafter, local residents of Ragged Island also reported a sighting of the HSV and an undetermined number of migrants stranded on a cay.Upon arrival by RBDF personnel to the area, a cay search was conducted and a total of sixty-seven (67) males (inclusive of 3 male minors) and twenty-seven (27) females (inclusive of 14 female minors) were apprehended and transported to Duncan Town, Ragged Island.HMBS BAHAMAS under the command of Lieutenant Commander Alexis Brown is currently en route to Ragged Island and will transport the suspected migrants to the capital where they will be turned over to the Bahamas Department of Immigration for further processing.This recent interception aligns itself with the Commander Defence Force, Commodore Raymond King’s strategic intent to combat threats to national security through the implementation of decentralized operations and strengthening security cooperation by committed efforts of regional partners and citizenry. The Royal Bahamas continues the pursuit of excellence in “Guarding Our Heritage”.
