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The US indictment of senior law enforcement officers in the Bahamas alleging cocaine transport conspiracy has reached London.

Former Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle alluded that the charges brought by the US Southern District of New York implicating 11 Bahamians, including Chief Superintendent Elvis Curtis and Defence Force Chief Petty Officer Darren Roker in helping drug traffickers to smuggle tons of cocaine through The Bahamas from South America to the United States, are embarrassing.

Rolle, who once served as Commissioner from March 2020 to July 2022 is presently the Bahamas ambassador to the International Maritime Organization in London.

“How do you think I feel when everywhere I turn here in London people are talking about it? They are talking about this thing that happened with the police officers. Every newspaper you look at, it’s there.

“So, we have to continue to be our brother’s keeper and let us try and preserve and salvage what little reputation we have left,” he told the Nassau Guardian.

During a national address on Sunday, Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander said he had a conversation with Rolle to get a comprehensive look at the activities involving the serious case, which reportedly began in May 2021 when Rolle was in office. “I have already initiated consultations with key individuals who held leadership roles during that period,” Fernander said.

But Rolle said Fernander’s comments “hurt and disappointed” him.

“I don’t support corruption in any form,” Rolle said. I can say categorically I have never been involved in any kind of corruption.

“I was quite disappointed when I heard his comment because it does not adequately and accurately address the conversation which we had and it gives the impression as though he spoke to me in a different form, as a suspect.

“That was never the case.”

Fernander and Rolle share a frosty relationship. Rolle was appointed by the Minnis administration and Fernander was appointed by the Davis administration.

Soon after, Rolle was given the position as ambassador to the International Maritime Organization in London.

Speaking of the call which he said took place last Friday night, “I thought it was a cordial conversation. He asked for my opinion on something and I told him that I thought…he needs to focus on addressing the image of the police force. That was the essence of it.”

The murder-suicide involving Heavenly Terveus and her boyfriend Fenron Ferguson has rocked the country as many people question the details surrounding the horrific event which is drawing widespread outrage.

The couple was in a relationship that became unstable and was discovered with gunshot wounds to the head in Terveus’ bedroom.

Reports circulated that Ferguson was the known aggressor in the relationship, having physically abused Terveus in the past.

Saturday evening was the culmination of an abusive relationship.

How did Heavenly Terveus and Fenron Ferguson Die?

Ferguson, a 24-year-old entrepreneur died after shooting himself in the head. Before shooting himself, he took the life of his 20-year-old girlfriend, shooting her in the head with a gun.

Family members discovered both of them in her bedroom at her mother’s home, along with their one-month-old baby, who was unharmed.

Reports are that he walked to the room, locked the door, and fired a barrage of bullets before family members discovered the ghastly incident.

Though Terveus died instantly, Ferguson lived until Monday evening, nursing the self-inflicted wounds. He succumbed at 7 pm.

What Police Say Happened Before Heavenly Died

Terveus reported to police that Ferguson damaged her vehicle, to which officers responded, but did not find Ferguson.  Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle said Ferguson had knowledge that police were looking for him and evaded attempts to arrest him.

Then the tragedy happened on Saturday.

Police are saying Terveus never made an official complaint against Ferguson.

Family members say she remained inside, afraid that he would return to the house.

Who were Heavenly Terveus and Fenron Ferguson?

Terveus and Ferguson were in a romantic relationship for a long time. Videos have circulated of the pair in courtship, dancing, hugging and walking hand-in-hand. In images posted to social media, the pair seemed in love.

Terveus was the owner of a photography business, Heavenly T Photography, but is heard in an audio clip seeking employment.

The mother of the one-month-old boy was said to have distanced herself from her sister after returning to Ferguson who shot at the sister. Reports are that the sister tried to get Terveus away from Ferguson following his abuse of her. But Terveus returned to Ferguson and gave birth to the baby boy.

Ferguson was the owner of Ron’s Sales Bahamas which sells TechnoMarine watches in Nassau and Freeport, Grand Bahama, and a soon-to-be Abaco location.

He was on bail for the shooting incident involving Terveus’ sister.

A promoter will be charged in the Magistrate’s Court for violating the COVID-19 protocols after receiving a $92,000 fine for hosting a large social event where attendees did not adhere to the emergency order.

The unknown promoter held a party on Sunday night at Bahama Barrels — a property owned by Graycliff and leased to entertainer Julien “Believe” Thompson and was attended by hundreds of partygoers who refused to comply with the mask mandate and the social distancing policies.

Why it matters

Since the implementation of the COVID-19 Emergency Order, the $92,000 citation is the biggest citation to be issued for violation of the order.

The order bans social gatherings and violators of the order are subject to a $2,000 fine and $300 fine for each person in attendance.

300 people were in attendance at the event over the weekend.

Mums the word

Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle did not release the name of the promoter since the matter will end up in court.

However, Thompson denied that he was responsible for the event even though the property was leased to him.

“It was not my event,” he told the Nassau Guardian.

Rolle warned the public to abide by the law.

“I want to say to people to desist,” he said.

“We are going to enforce the law and the penalties for these social gatherings are hefty. They have to take that into account when they decide that they want to invite people over to have social gatherings. When we find them, we are going to cite them. They are going to feel it.”

The big picture

The country has experienced an exponential increase in COVID-19 cases in recent weeks, surpassing 10,000 cases.

Between Friday and Saturday, 189 cases were–74 cases on Friday and 115 cases on Saturday.

Photo credit: Julien “Believe” Thompson  http://julienbelieveofficial.com/gallery/

The pastor accused of “spurious ” claims against Police Commissioner Paul Rolle was arraigned in the Magistrate’s Court today, charged with intentional libel.

Dressed in a coat suit, Pastor Julien Johnson was escorted to court by two police officers, without handcuffs.

The arraignment was scheduled for 2 pm.

Why it matters

Nearly two weeks ago, Johnson in a social media post, accused the police commissioner of sexual assault against female members of the police force. Johnson stated that it was revealed to him in ‘the spirit.’

Rolle responded in a statement that he “takes the attacks on his reputation seriously” and had since reported the matter to the Central Investigation Department.

Johnson who is known for making spurious claims on social media, as the word from the Lord admitted that he often speaks out of turn.

After the investigation was launched, Johnson admitted, “I don’t always get it right. I don’t always say what’s right. My mouth gets the best of me. Everybody has a weakness. And my mouth is mine.”

After the release of DNA Leader Komolafe and other members of her party, since being arrested by police, Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle called a press conference on Monday afternoon, emphasizing that the questioning and arrest was not political.

Why it matters

Members of the party say they believe the arrest of its members, “came from higher up” suggesting that Prime Minister Hubert Minnis and National Security Minister Marvin Dames gave orders for their questioning and detention.

Their arrest caught the attention of FNM Former Deputy Leader Loretta Butler-Turner and PLP MP for Englerston Glenys Hanna-Martin, who assembled with members of the DNA on the outside of the Central Police Station to decry the detention. Both said they believe it was politically motivated.

The big picture

The DNA held a protest on March 3rd in Parliament Square and stood near the entrance of the House of Assembly, while it was in session, calling on Minnis to end the Emergency Order and resign.

However, the protest was deemed ‘unlawful’ since it was held without a permit from the police commissioner.

Why the arrest now?

Rolle said when the protest took place without the proper requirements, he told officers to speak to the group and he will handle the matter later, because he did not want to “create an unnecessary scene” at Parliament.

When asked if the police force is being used as a political tool by the government, Rolle said, “I do not take instructions from politicians. I answer to the constitution of the Bahamas.

“Nine people were interviewed and arrested. Nothing political about it. I don’t see colors, whether it’s red, yellow, or green. Everyone is treated the same. I believe my record on that is straightforward.”

Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle said on Thursday that Peter Nygard left the Bahamas before the police were able to investigate the complaints made against him.

Why it matters

Peter Nygard faces extradition to the United States where 57 women accuse him of sex crimes. The women are from the  Bahamas, the U.S., and Canada. On Tuesday, he was remanded to jail in Canada, facing nine counts of racketeering, sex trafficking, and other related crimes.

What Commissioner Paul Rolle says

• There were 4 complaints reported to the Bahamas police, by victims, accusing Nygard of sexual assault.
• Police officers were dispatched to Nygard’s residence in Lyford Cay, but upon arrival, officers were informed that Nygard left the Bahamas.
• Police witnessed people loading Nygard’s belongings in a shipping container.
• Police made contact with Nygard and he refused to return and surrender.
• Nygard was never interviewed by local police.

Rolle told reporters, “The matter is before a judge. Please don’t draw this commissioner into that.”

Featured image: The Tribune