RBDF talks challenges on catching illegal migrants
One day after a Haitian sloop landed within miles of the Royal Bahamas Defense Force (RBDF) Coral Harbour base, officials took the media to the supposed landing spot in an attempt to quell concerns on how the illegals managed to land undetected.
Lieutenant Commander Carlon Bethell said it is unfair to criticize defence force officers without all the information. He said there are many factors including, bad weather and rough seas, that determines if and where illegals make it to shore.
Defense force officials said human smuggling is big business and more often than not, Haitian migrants are assisted by persons on land who steer them to shore and facilitate their escape.
Meanwhile, the search for additional migrants is currently underway after several Haitian migrants were apprehended in a combined effort between defence force, police and immigration officials, early Sunday morning.
Authorities told Eyewitness News that shortly after midnight, a 35-ft a Haitian sloop made landfall off Venice Bay, south New Providence.
Efforts by security forces resulted in the capture of 26 migrants, who were turned over to immigration officials for further processing.
