13 Decemeber 2024

The Bahamas is grappling with a storm of allegations and political upheaval following a US indictment that accuses high-ranking Bahamian police and government officials of enabling massive cocaine shipments to the US.

The indictment, unsealed by US Attorney Damian Williams and DEA Administrator Anne Milgram, charges 13 individuals, including high-ranking officials of the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF), with cocaine importation and related weapons offenses.

“For years, drug traffickers have smuggled tonnes of cocaine through The Bahamas with the support and protection of corrupt Bahamian government officials who control airports throughout the country and provide sensitive information about US Coast Guard movements to drug traffickers,” said Williams.

The indictment paints a damning picture of systemic corruption, accusing Bahamian officials of accepting bribes of up to US$2mn in exchange for facilitating the safe passage of cocaine shipments.

The fallout in The Bahamas has been swift and dramatic. Commissioner of Police Clayton Fernander resigned, with Prime Minister Philip Davis confirming his departure and recommending ACP Shanta Knowles as his successor. If appointed, Knowles would become the first female Commissioner of Police in Bahamian history.

“We are taking important steps to restore trust and accountability,” said Prime Minister Davis, noting that there would be more changes to the leadership of the country’s security forces.

During a heated parliamentary session, St. Barnabas MP Shanendon Cartwright added to the turmoil by grabbing the ceremonial mace—a symbol of parliamentary authority—and throwing it out of a window in protest. This was followed by the forceful ejection of opposition lawmakers from parliament.

The chaos within Parliament spilled into the streets, where opposition supporters gathered to protest the corruption allegations. Opposition Leader Michael Pintard criticised the government for attempting to “silence the Bahamian people” and called for a broader commission of inquiry to investigate systemic corruption.

“We know that the transshipment of drugs and arms through The Bahamas cannot be facilitated by law enforcement alone,” said Pintard. “It has to be facilitated by a wider group of persons who have authority in different sectors of our society.”

In the first sitting of parliament since the mace incident, House Speaker Patricia Deveaux announced the suspension of the entire official opposition except former Prime Minister Hubert Minnis following a motion moved by the government.

“It is so moved that for the next two sittings, the honourable members mentioned will not be allowed to sit in this honourable assembly,” said Deveaux. Following this, the six members, led by Opposition Leader Pintard left parliament and staged a concurrent press conference.

Adding to the intrigue is the indictment’s reference to an unnamed high-ranking Bahamian politician who allegedly agreed to authorise law enforcement support for drug traffickers in exchange for US$2mn. Prime Minister Davis has expressed frustration with US officials for withholding the identity of this individual.

“I told them to disclose to me the named politician,” Davis said. “They haven’t done it yet… They’re painting The Bahamas as a bunch of corrupt government officials. I asked them to identify who they are. Are they public servants? We do have bad apples amongst ourselves, and we got to root them out where we find them,” he added.

In an interview, Former Prime Minister Hubert Minnis suggested that if Prime Minister Davis was not informed by the US about the indictment, it may be an indication that they do not trust the current government.

He recalled that when he was in office he was informed by the US about investigations involving a high-ranking public figure in The Bahamas and had no objections to the actions of US investigators.

The Davis administration has sent a formal diplomatic note to the US, requesting further details about the allegations. Minister of Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell has also called for clarity, while the Bahamian public grows increasingly restless.

Meanwhile, the government is pushing forward with an Independent Commission of Investigations Bill to address misconduct by law enforcement and public officials. Minister of National Security Wayne Munroe described the bill as a step toward restoring trust, but Pintard dismissed it as inadequate.

“This is no substitute for a broader commission of inquiry,” Pintard said. “We need to examine the relationships between local and international criminal organisations, security forces, and members of Parliament,” he maintained.

As The Bahamas navigates this crisis, the implications for its international reputation and governance remain uncertain. The scandal has laid bare deep-rooted issues within its institutions, raising urgent questions about accountability and reform. For now, the country’s political and law enforcement leadership faces an uphill battle to restore trust both at home and abroad.