We decided to share this article with readers of BAHAMAS CHRONICLE, which has a huge following among the Bahamian diaspora across the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom as well as in The Bahamas and the wider Caribbean. The Royal Bahamas Defence Force published this article on Monday, July 27, 2026.
CORAL HARBOUR BASE, 27 July 2026 – A joint operation involving the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and Operation Bahamas Turks and Caicos (OPBAT) resulted in the interception of 54 Haitian migrants and the discovery of suspected illegal drugs aboard a sailing vessel in the Northern Exuma area.
On Sunday, 26 July 2026, at approximately 1120 hours, United States partners provided updated intelligence regarding a vessel suspected of transporting migrants and illegal drugs in the vicinity of Ship Channel Cay and Beacon Cay.
Royal Bahamas Defence Force vessels, including HMBS MADEIRA, along with United States air assets and personnel from the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park, conducted searches throughout the area.
At approximately 0640 hours on Monday, 27 July 2026, updated intelligence led the teams to the Norman’s Cay and Wax Cay area, where the vessel of interest was located.
A boarding and search of the sailing vessel resulted in the interception of 54 Haitian migrants, consisting of 47 adult males, six adult females and one female minor, approximately three years old.
A further search of the vessel resulted in the discovery of two bales of suspected marijuana and 10 bricks of suspected cocaine.
HMBS MADEIRA, under the command of Lieutenant Nicholas Cartwright, along with the assitance of the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park Warden secured the migrants, suspected drugs and vessel for transportation to Coral Harbour Base.
Upon arrival, the migrants, suspected drugs and vessel will be handed over to the relevant authorities for further investigation and processing.
The Royal Bahamas Defence Force, under the leadership of Commodore Floyd P. Moxey, is optimizing excellence by bridging generations and embracing modernization. As such, remains committed to protecting the territorial integrity of The Bahamas and working with local and international partners to combat human smuggling and the trafficking of illegal drugs throughout the country’s maritime domain.
