A Bahamian nationwide has been arrested for his alleged involvement in a human smuggling scheme that led to the deaths of a number of migrants.
Vandrick Nelson Smith, also referred to as Muggy and Vans, aged 33, was apprehended within the Bahamas on March 6, following collaborative efforts between U.S. and Bahamian authorities. The fees, initially filed below seal in November 2023, have been unsealed on March 26.
Based on court docket paperwork, Smith was allegedly concerned in a human smuggling group that tried to carry migrants illegally from The Bahamas to the USA by boat. The migrants have been nationals of Colombia, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti, amongst different international locations.
The migrants (or their households and associates) allegedly paid the group cash to be smuggled to the USA. Based on court docket paperwork, Smith was personally concerned in three maritime human smuggling incidents — together with one which resulted in 5 deaths.
“Human smuggling ventures put individuals’s lives in danger for the sake of revenue,” stated U.S. Legal professional Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, commenting on the costs.
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“Human smugglers prey on the migrants’ hopes for a greater life. Tragically, the smugglers’ exploits pose a grave hazard to migrants. The U.S. Legal professional’s Workplace will proceed to work with our companions to prosecute those that perform illicit human smuggling operations to guard weak migrants and save lives.”
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Smith allegedly was concerned in three maritime human smuggling occasions that occurred on or about March 6, 2021; Jan. 22, 2022; and Aug. 8, 2022.
On the night of Jan. 22, 2022, quite a few migrants allegedly boarded a vessel in The Bahamas destined for Florida. Shortly after the vessel’s departure, the engines allegedly stopped functioning and the vessel capsized. On Jan. 25, 2022, the U.S. Coast Guard rescued the only real surviving migrant, who was discovered clinging to the highest of the overturned vessel.
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Smith is charged with 5 counts of making an attempt to carry noncitizens to the USA leading to demise stemming from the January 2022 enterprise. He’s additionally charged with conspiring to carry noncitizens to the USA for revenue, inserting in jeopardy the lifetime of noncitizens and leading to demise; making an attempt to carry noncitizens to the USA for revenue; and making an attempt to assist and help sure noncitizens to enter the USA.
If convicted of making an attempt to carry noncitizens to the USA leading to demise, Smith faces a most penalty of life in jail.
