AG: “You Don’t Go Into Another Country and Commit What is in Essence a Crime”

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NASSAU , BAHAMAS – Undercover U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents operating in The Bahamas are still not sitting well with Attorney General Wayne Munroe.

His comments come after Bahamian Ambassador to the United States Wendall Jones recently met with officials at the U.S. Justice Department in Washington, D.C., according to The Nassau Guardian.

During that meeting, Jones reportedly said it’s the Bahamian government’s position that “there are rogue DEA agents who are working in The Bahamas without permission.”

The dispute stems from U.S. court documents detailing a three-year undercover narcotics investigation in The Bahamas connected to the arrest of Jonathan Eric Gardiner.

Munroe was asked about Jones’ meeting and his characterization of the DEA’s presence in The Bahamas.

Wayne Munroe – Attorney General
“He used the word rogue? If that’s to describe doing things outside of the ordinary process, that would be correct. For many reasons, you do not go into another country and commit, in essence, what is a crime.”

The Bahamas and the United States have enjoyed a decades-long relationship, working together on several issues, including stopping the smuggling of illegal drugs.

So why is this such an issue for Munroe?

Wayne Munroe – Attorney General
“Let’s say the DEA officer agents is in the country involved in something like that, and there’s a shootout with Bahamian police because they don’t know what he’s doing here. That will be very problematic, eh?”

Wayne Munroe – Attorney General
“If you come to this country and you meet support to supposedly import cocaine, transport cocaine to the U.S., that’s conspiracy to possess, import and export cocaine. Whoever is doing that has breached the Dangerous Drugs Act of The Bahamas.”

Since the story broke last week, it’s become a hot-button issue.

Former Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis took to social media over the weekend to weigh in, saying when he was prime minister, he wasn’t left in the dark.

Dr. Hubert Minnis – Former Prime Minister
“Prime Minister, you are one of the most intelligent lawyers in this country. Why did they not tell you about the indictment? Why did the DEA not inform you or your government of what they are doing?”

Wayne Munroe K.C. – Attorney General
“The Americans are our friends. They’ve been our friends from the time we became a nation. As it is, Ambassador Jones would make representation. We make representation to the U.S. Embassy, where we continue to try to work in good faith with our friends to the north, because our security is mutual.”