Bahamians, Colombians Arrested After Drugs Found On Crashed Plane

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ACKLINS, BAHAMAS – Drug Enforcement Unit officers are probing the country’s latest drug bust. Police made a significant discovery early this morning following a plane crash in Acklins.

Police say shortly before 2 a.m., an aircraft crash-landed on the western section of the airport runway in Spring Point, Acklins. When officers arrived, a search of the plane revealed a large quantity of suspected narcotics.

Here’s Officer attached to the Drug Enforcement Unit, Superintendent Shakiel Mackey-Riley, who says two men were seen running from the plane.

Superintendent Shakiel Mackey-Riley – Drug Enforcement Unit, RBPF
“Officers from the Drug Enforcement Unit, tonight, with the assistance of our U.S. law enforcement counterparts, conducted a further check of the aircraft, which is blue and white in color, and what they saw were some 24 packages, 24 bales of multicolored suspected cocaine and one crocus sack of suspected marijuana.”

But it didn’t end there. Officers on another family island arrested suspects believed to be connected to the incident.

Superintendent Shakiel Mackey-Riley – Drug Enforcement Unit
“Simultaneously, on the island of Long Island, officers, acting on additional information, took into custody seven males, ages from 36 to 59 years old. Five of these males are Bahamian nationals, and two of these males are Colombians.”

Authorities Emphasize Importance of Cooperation to Combat Drug Trade

Superintendent Shakiel Mackey-Riley – Drug Enforcement Unit
“It is critical for the Drug Enforcement Unit, in fact, for the entire Royal Bahamas Police Force, that we work together in conjunction with our partners, our U.S. counterparts, to safeguard borders. And so that is really critical. We are up and about, and like I said earlier, we are relentless in our pursuit to rid our country so our children can have a future because drugs are really destroying our nation.”

At this time, officers cannot provide an official count, weight, or estimated street value of the drugs.