Davis to meet with US Embassy: ‘The indictment reveals a breach so deep that it strikes at the heart of our national security’

In a brief communication to the House of Assembly on Wednesday, following the New York indictment of senior officers of the Royal Bahamas Police Force and Defense Force, Prime Minister Philip Davis said the people responsible will be held accountable in a ‘swift and decisive move’ by his government.

What Prime Minister Davis said

Prime Minister Philip Davis said, “The misconduct of a few must not and will not define The Bahamas.

“Let there be no doubt, the Bahamian people deserve accountability for every act of betrayal committed during this time. The tree will be shaken until every bad apple falls.

“To those who believe they can outsmart the systems of justice and intelligence, let this serve as a clear and stern warning: the days of operating in the shadows are over. You will be found, and you will be held accountable,” Davis said before the House was quickly suspended and Opposition Leader Michael Pintard was denied from speaking.

Why it matters

The Royal Bahamas Police Force, plagued with corrupt allegations was once again hit with damnable allegations when a senior member of its organization Chief Superintendent Elvis Curtis, and Sergeant Prince Symonette, along with Chief Petty Officer Darren Roker of the Royal Bahamas Defense Force were three of thirteen men charged in the United States with conspiracy to transport cocaine to the United States from South America, firearms use, and carrying and possession of firearms conspiracy.

Curtis has implicated an unnamed politician, claiming the operation was authorized for $2 million.

The big picture

Curtis is in charge of the Lynden Pindling Airport Division of the Royal Bahamas Police Force and is accused of accepting bribes from traffickers to facilitate the transportation of cocaine while “providing safe passage for the traffickers and their cocaine loads through the Nassau Airport and elsewhere in the Bahamas.”

Sergeant Prince Symonette of the Royal Bahamas Police Force is accused of working with Curtis and traffickers to transport the drug by air and sea while accepting bribes “for streamlining customs clearance for aircraft,” receiving bribery money of $10,000 as a down payment.

Roker allegedly received $10,000 in bribery money as a down payment to alert traffickers about sensitive operations by the US Coast Guard and OPBAT to avoid capture.

Curtis and Symonette reportedly “planned a trip to the United States to receive approximately $1.5m in US currency, which would represent an advanced payment on an agreed-upon at least approximately 500-kilogram load of cocaine to be imported through The Bahamas into the United States.”

State of play

The indictment labels Bahamian government officials as ‘corrupt,’ which affects the Bahamas reputation and its dealings with the US. Thus, Davis said he will meet with the Charge d’Affaires of the United States Embassy today to discuss the indictment and “reaffirm our government’s commitment to full cooperation in uncovering the truth and dismantling these criminal networks.”

Driving the news

Curtis and Roker were apprehended in Florida but will stand trial in New York.

“The government of The Bahamas will act decisively to ensure that those responsible for these breaches, regardless of rank or position, are held accountable. This betrayal will not go unanswered,” Davis said.

“In light of these serious allegations, I want to assure this House and the Bahamian people that my government will act swiftly and decisively. We will engage with our U.S. partners and assist fully in this investigation.

“The defendants will have their day in court, where the guilt or innocence of each will be established. But we cannot wait – and we will not wait – for the outcomes of court proceedings in the United States.”

Featured Image: Tribune