Bahamas Prime Minister Phillip Davis has defended his remarks relating to legislation enforcement officers charged in a U.S. indictment in reference to an enormous cocaine smuggling operation, claiming that they were victims of entrapment.
In an announcement issued by the Workplace of the Prime Minister, Davis clarified that his feedback concerning the case’s reliance on U.S. authorities brokers and informants have been grounded within the textual content of the indictment itself. “Concerning the prime minister’s current statement that the US case seems to rely closely on actions in response to US authorities brokers or informants, that’s not a matter in controversy – it’s clear from the textual content of the indictment itself,” the assertion mentioned.
The remarks adopted sharp criticism from the opposition Free Nationwide Motion (FNM), which expressed concern over the Prime Minister’s stance. Opposition Chief Michael Pintard, chatting with the Nassau Guardian, mentioned, “After I heard the remarks, like different Bahamians, we have been shocked, surprised, that the prime minister, who’s not working within the capability of a defence lawyer however because the chief government officer of an impartial nation, would truly be making these sorts of statements.”
Pintard additionally questioned Davis’s credibility, stating, “The statements appear contradictory instantly to me as a result of the prime minister had claimed he had no information of the small print surrounding the matter and at no level has he come again to the general public to point he had gotten further data that will enable him now to return to the conclusion that he has drawn.”
FNM Chairman Duane Sands additionally weighed in, labeling the prime minister’s feedback as “a joke.” Sands advised reporters, “We are able to’t assist however word the sudden shift in tone, from promising swift motion and reform to casting doubt on the investigation’s legitimacy. Simply who or what is that this authorities attempting to guard?” Sands added, “We’re speaking about an indictment that alleges that corrupt officers have been keen to facilitate the motion of cocaine by way of our islands.”
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The U.S. indictment, unsealed final November, names 11 Bahamians and two Colombians accused of transporting tons of cocaine from South America into The Bahamas and in the end america. Amongst these indicted have been Chief Superintendent Elvis Curtis, who was accountable for the Airport Division on the time; Royal Bahamas Police Drive Sergeant Prince Albert Symonette, who was later discharged; and Royal Bahamas Defence Drive Chief Petty Officer Darrin Roker, who was additionally discharged.
The indictment alleges that Curtis advised a trafficker {that a} high-ranking Bahamian politician may authorize legislation enforcement officers to help with cocaine shipments in change for a US$2 million bribe.
In response to the indictment, the Prime Minister’s workplace reiterated that the federal government took the allegations severely and acted swiftly. “From the second the indictment was unveiled, the prime minister and his authorities have handled the allegations with the utmost seriousness and urgency, and selected to not look forward to what could also be a prolonged authorized course of to play out earlier than taking motion,” the assertion mentioned.
The Workplace of the Prime Minister highlighted a number of actions taken for the reason that indictment’s revelation, together with the resignation of the police commissioner and the appointment of a brand new commissioner with a mandate for reform. Moreover, new laws has been launched, together with protections for whistleblowers and the institution of an impartial investigations fee to handle police misconduct.
Prime Minister Davis has additionally met with U.S. officers a number of occasions to debate the case and reaffirm the federal government’s dedication to cooperation. Inside 24 hours of studying concerning the indictment, the Ministry of International Affairs requested help from U.S. Embassy officers in contacting the Division of Justice to determine the unnamed senior Bahamian official talked about within the indictment. Nonetheless, the U.S. Embassy has since confirmed that it doesn’t touch upon ongoing investigations.
The assertion from the Workplace of the Prime Minister additionally addressed the criticism from Duane Sands, stating, “Regardless of stiff competitors from his FNM colleagues, Duane Sands often finds himself successful the Most Determined Award, and at the moment is not any completely different. The US indictment alleges prison exercise stretching again to the time when the FNM shaped the federal government, but nobody can recall any steps he or his FNM colleagues took to substantively handle considerations about wrongdoing within the safety forces.”
The assertion continued, “As we speak, as on so many different days, Sands chooses pretend outrage as a substitute.”
Because the controversy surrounding the case continues, the Prime Minister’s protection of his remarks on entrapment has sparked additional debate concerning the ongoing drug trafficking investigation and the federal government’s dealing with of the problem.
