REGIONAL: 22 held in suspected human smuggling ring in Bahamas

Twenty-two foreigners, including two children, were detained by Bahamian officials over the weekend in what is believed to be a human smuggling ring.

The development comes after a 32-foot vessel was intercepted in Bahamian waters on Sunday, June 2 flying a United States flag. The migrants were detained by the Bahamas Police Force Marine Unit.

The detainees included 13 men, six women, two children and one infant from Ecuador, Italy, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Brazil who were reportedly on their way to North America.

Police Press Liaison, Chief Superintendent Chrislyn Skippings said the Force intends to crack down hard on those engaging in human smuggling.

“We are going to be relentless in our pursuit and once we find out you are engaging in human smuggling, human trafficking we’re going to place you before the courts and you will rightly go where you rightly deserve.”

The police said they have since handed over the migrants to the Immigration Department for processing. (CMC)