While on routine patrol in the South Western Bahamas and acting on information provided by the United States Coast Guard and Cuban Border Patrol, HMBS Leon Livingston Smith, under the command of Senior Lieutenant James Cox were able to intercept and apprehend nineteen (19) migrants consisting of five (5) Cuban males, twelve (12) Haitians (eight males, four females), two (2) Dominican males and two Bahamian males who appeared to be the alleged smugglers. On 4th September, eighty (80) Haitian migrants were apprehended in Bahamian waters and to date with the inclusion of the most recent numbers, approximately thousand seven hundred and twenty-two (2,722) migrants were apprehended by The Royal Bahamas Defence Force. The migrants and suspected smugglers all appeared to be in good health and were transported to HMBS Coral Harbour Base this morning where they were handed over to the relevant authorities for processing. The Royal Bahamas Defence Force remains vigilant in defending the territorial integrity of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas by enforcing the strategic plans set forth by Commander Defence Force.(RBDF photos by Able Seaman Paul Rolle II)
