#Bahamas, August 15, 2017 – Nassau – More than 150 Haitian migrants were captured in waters of the Southern Bahamas last week, and the Royal Bahamas Defense Force reveals that over 640 migrants have been intercepted at sea so far for 2017. Joint Operations involving the US Coast Guard led to the captures on August 9 where 73 Haitians were found on a freighter and on August 11, where 78 Haitians were caught in waters north of Ragged Island; again spotted by the US Coast Guard and arrested by the Defense Force.
A media release explains that a #DefenceForce ship-rider supported the first arrest aboard the #USCoastGuard craft; a provision of the Comprehensive Maritime Agreement between the US and The Bahamas where our marines are permitted to conduct tours of duty aboard US Coast Guard vessels and to make arrests in Bahamian waters. The 151 undocumented migrants arrived in Nassau on Sunday morning at Coral Harbour and are currently under the supervision of Immigration officials for further processing.
