NASSAU, BAHAMAS - A joint task force from Operation Bahamas, Turks and (OPBAT) seized 2,842 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated wholesale value of over $2.5 million during three separate law enforcement operations in the Bahamas this past weekend.
The OPBAT task force was comprised of elements from the U.S. Drug Enforcement (DEA), U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Customs Border (CBP) Office of Air and (OAM) and the Bahamas Drug Enforcement (DEU), a division of the Royal Bahamas Police (RBPF).
Over three separate nights, OAM aircrews aboard DHC-8 aircraft observed suspicious "go-fast" vessels transiting waters in the southeast Bahamas. Surface and air assets were subsequently dispatched to pursue and apprehend the suspected smugglers.
A deployed U.S. Coast Guard MH-60 helicopter aircrew launched and supported DEA and DEU agents during the interdictions. In addition to the narcotics seized, two smuggling vessels and a vehicle were taken into custody, and a total of six suspects were arrested.
The seized go-fast vessels and contraband were eventually escorted to Nassau, Bahamas for further processing.
"Due to our ability to adapt to the ever changing tactics of the narcotics trafficker, OPBAT remains one of the most successful drug interdiction efforts overseas," said DEA Special Agent in Charge, A.D. Wright. “Our continued cooperative efforts with the governments of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas, the Turks and Caicos Islands as well as the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Department of State to deny traffickers the ability to operate effectively in the Bahamas has left an undeniable footprint in the overall strategy to combat the flow of narcotics."
"In the maritime environment, we operate efficiently and effectively with a variety of federal, state and local partners including the U.S. Drug and Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Coast Guard," said CBP's Miami Air and Marine Branch Director William Gibbon. "Our experienced agents in South Florida are diligently supporting an array of border security and maritime law enforcement efforts."
"OPBAT remains vigilant in its mission to protect citizens of both the U.S. and Bahamas" said Commander Mark Driver, the U.S. Coast Guard OPBAT Director. "The strong partnership U.S. and Bahamian forces enjoy creates a potent deterrent to criminal activity and has resulted in the seizure of over 45 tons of narcotics since October 2014."
OPBAT is a combined DEA, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Government of Bahamas partnership to combat drug smuggling to and from the Bahamas. The OPBAT Operations Center in Nassau is responsible for initiating and prosecuting law enforcement cases in the Bahamian area of (AOR). In addition, OPBAT assets regularly assist with prosecuting human smuggling and search and rescue cases throughout the AOR.
