Federal prosecutors have unveiled charges against several top law enforcement officials from the Bahamas, accusing them of being deeply involved in helping cocaine smuggling operations into the United States. According to court documents, these officials allegedly played key roles in ensuring the smooth movement of cocaine, from airports to boats, in exchange for bribes.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams called the allegations a stark warning for corrupt officials, vowing accountability for those enabling the drug trade. Among the 13 individuals charged are high-ranking officers like Chief Superintendent Elvis Nathaniel Curtis of the Royal Bahamas Police Force and Chief Petty Officer Darrin Alexander Roker of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force. Both were arrested in Florida and have since made their first court appearances.
The Commissioner of the Royal Bahamas Police Force, Clayton Fernander, expressed his disappointment, calling the allegations a “dark moment” for the institution. He emphasized that no officer involved in misconduct would be spared from consequences, saying that trust in the uniform must be preserved.
The indictment details how Bahamian officials allegedly aided the cocaine trade since at least 2021, actively undermining a U.S.-Bahamas operation called OPBAT (Operation Bahamas, Turks and Caicos). This program, which began in 1982, focuses on combating drug trafficking in the Caribbean. However, the court documents accuse corrupt officials of sabotaging OPBAT’s efforts by blocking access to seized drugs, providing misleading information, and even marking certain drug trafficking targets as “off limits.”
One officer, Sergeant Prince Albert Symonette, is accused of helping with cocaine shipments linked to Colombia’s Revolutionary Armed Forces. Prosecutors allege he was aware that these transactions could facilitate the transport of weapons from Florida to the Bahamas. The indictment also outlines how pilots worked with traffickers to move cocaine from Central and South America to the U.S., often using private charter flights carrying both drugs and passengers.
The charges carry severe consequences. If convicted, the defendants could face life in prison for drug trafficking and firearms offenses.
Commodore Raymond King of the Bahamas Defence Force pledged accountability, stating that those responsible would face the full weight of justice. He reaffirmed his agency’s commitment to working with international partners to combat corruption and protect national security.
The charges come amid ongoing concerns about the growing impact of cocaine on U.S. communities. While overall overdose deaths have seen a slight decline, fatalities linked to cocaine have risen sharply, with nearly 30,000 lives lost in 2023 alone. As officials crack down on drug networks, this case highlights the troubling role that corruption can play in fueling the crisis.
