Months-long Operation Leads To Arrest of Two American Men On Exuma

Advertisement

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The arrest of two foreign nationals accused of illegally operating sports-fishing charters in Bahamian waters was made near Black Point, Exuma on Monday following a months-long intelligence-led investigation.

The joint operation involved the Maritime Revenue Unit, Royal Bahamas Defence and Police Forces, customs, immigration and Department of Marine Resources.

Authorities estimate the men were charging anywhere from $6000, all the way up to $100,000 per trip.

Senior Commander Bertram Bowleg – Director, Maritime Revenue Unit, Ministry of Finance

“ You have weapons, you have cannabis vape, which put them in a category of dangerous drug with intent to supply.”

“And then you have over limit of rods, and then you have a live product of fishery products.”

The vessel in question, and all those items found onboard were seized by authorities.

However officials say this case highlights a decade-old problem in Bahamian waters.

Senior Commander Bertram Bowleg – Director, Maritime Revenue Unit, Ministry of Finance

“There’s so much water for the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, the Maritime Unit to cover, and there are so much vessels that are doing illegal sport fishing, illegal charter. So every now and then, we run across one and we have [an] arrest, but there are so much out there that are doing this nonsense in our waters.”

Senior Commander Bertram Bowleg – Director, Maritime Revenue Unit, Ministry of Finance

“ You just check social media and you’ll see they’re offering charters within The Bahamas, they’re Americans. Remember now sports fishing, charter charters, are reserved for humans only, but they put up on their sites that they offer that service, and then they solicit charters within the United States, and then they bring them to The Bahamas.”

Meantime, Chief Customs Officer, Cranston Evans, confirmed the vessel entered The Bahamas on a private cruising permit which does not cover commercial fishing or charter activity.

Cranston Evans – Chief Customs Officer, Department of customs

“ This is a violation of section 77 and 78 of the Customs Management Act. It carries a heavy penalty, in order to protect our marine resources, and so the penalty for such infraction of this could range up to $100,000.”

Both Evans and Bowleg say enforcement operations will continue in order to protect Bahamian marine resources, and the livelihoods of Bahamians operating in the space.