Dominican Boat Captain Jailed Over Smuggling Charges

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – A Dominican boat captain has been jailed for one year in prison after he was unable to pay a $21,000 fine.

Seventy-three-year-old Confesor Cabrera pleaded guilty to assisting illegal passengers to depart from The Bahamas at his arraignment before Assistant Chief Magistrate Subusola Swain.

Cabrera was headed to Miami, Florida with 21 passengers from Haiti, Ecuador, Italy and Brazil on June 3 when police officers on marine patrol intercepted the 32-foot yacht that they were on off the coast of New Providence.

Cabrera, who didn’t have a lawyer, begged the court for mercy, saying that he was sick and would die if imprisoned.

Magistrate Swain fined Cabrera $1,000 for each passenger with a default sentence of one year in prison for nonpayment.

Cabrera said, “I don’t have any money.” The magistrate replied, “Then you go to prison.”

The magistrate refused a request for Cabrera to spend his time at the Detention Center instead of the prison.

The court recommended Cabrera’s deportation after he completes his sentence.

The vessel used in the attempted smuggling venture has also been forfeited to the Crown.