NASSAU, BAHAMAS: A joint maritime operation involving Operation Bahamas Turks and Caicos (OPBAT) and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force has resulted in the seizure of suspected cocaine and marijuana, along with the apprehension of 54 Haitian nationals near Norman’s Cay.
Police said the operation took place on Monday, July 27, 2026, after officers acting on intelligence intercepted a white sailing vessel in waters near Norman’s Cay shortly after 8:00 a.m.
Officers boarded the vessel and discovered 54 Haitian nationals onboard, including 47 adult males, six adult females and one juvenile female.
During a search of the vessel conducted in the presence of the occupants, officers found one backpack containing suspected marijuana and another backpack containing suspected cocaine.
Two additional packages containing suspected marijuana were also discovered.
Police said the suspected drugs were seized and four Haitian men — ages 50, 49, 39 and 35 — were arrested, cautioned and taken into custody in connection with the matter.
The men were transported aboard a Royal Bahamas Defence Force vessel to Coral Harbour Base, where they were handed over to the Drug Enforcement Unit for further investigation.
The remaining 50 Haitian nationals were turned over to the Bahamas Department of Immigration for processing.
Police said the suspected marijuana weighed 21 pounds with an estimated street value of $21,000.
The suspected cocaine weighed 26 pounds with an estimated street value of $520,000.
The investigation remains ongoing.
