Law enforcement agencies have seized over 985 pounds of marijuana estimated to be worth $1 million and arrested two suspected drug smugglers intercepted in Bahamian waters.
The drugs and suspects were held when officers from the United States Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), Office of Air and Marine (OAM) aircrew and Operation Bahamas Turks and Caicos (OPBAT) tracked a suspicious, 35-foot go-fast vessel, with low lights, about 20 miles southwest of Andros Island on Monday.
After the vessel was intercepted, Bahamian authorities took two men into custody in Andros and seized dozens of sacks containing the illegal drugs.
“These collaborative efforts are crucial in disrupting illicit activity and potential threats,” said William Gibbon, director of CBP’s Miami Air and Marine Branch. “We’ll continue to deter and detect the illegal entry of people, weapons and drugs to secure our maritime borders.”
OPBAT is a joint partnership with the US Drug Enforcement agency, the governments of the Bahamas, the Turks and Caicos Islands as well as the US. Coast Guard and CBP to combat drug smuggling to and from the Bahamas.
OPBAT also regularly assists with prosecuting human smuggling and search and rescue cases.
With 1,200 federal agents, 267 aircraft and 283 marine vessels operating from 91 locations throughout the United States, OAM uses sophisticated fleets to detect, sort, intercept, track and apprehend criminals in diverse environments at and beyond US borders.
Source-Caribbean360
