#Coral Harbour Base, 20 JAN. ‘20 (RBDF): A total of 31 Haitian migrants have been apprehended in the Ragged Island chain by members of the Royal Bahamas Defence early this morning.
Acting on information received, HMBS L.
L. Smith under the command of Senior Lieutenant Shawn Adderley commenced
investigations confirming suspected migrant sightings on an uninhabited cay,
north of Ragged Island. A search of the
cay uncovered just over 30 migrants, who all appeared to be in fair
health. A further search of the cay and
surrounding area is currently being conducted by the Royal Bahamas Defence
Force, assisted by members of the Ragged Island fishing community.
This latest apprehension of migrants is
the first of the year, executed by members of the RBDF. On January 7, an
Immigration-led operation supported by members of the Royal Bahamas Defence and
Police Forces and the United States Coast Guard apprehended 7 foreign nationals
suspected of being engaged in human smuggling in Eight Mile Rock, Grand Bahama.
The Royal Bahamas Defence Force remains
committed to patrolling our borders and protecting the territorial integrity of
The Bahamas.