High ranking officers of the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) were among other Bahamians indicted by the US Attorney in the Southern District of New York on charges related to drug trafficking.  Prime Minister, the Hon. Philip Davis delivered an address in Parliament on Wednesday promising reform and action in light of the revelations in the indictment.

Mr. Davis told Parliamentarians, “the tree will be shaken until every bad apple falls.”

The indictment alleges that RBPF Chief Superintendent Elvis Curtis who served as Officer in Charge of the Airport Division, Sergeant Prince Albert Symonette and RBDF Chief Petty Officer Darrin Roker used their positions to aid the trafficking of drugs bound for the United States through airports and seaports in The Bahamas.

Mr. Davis said, “on at least three occasions and as recent as earlier this year I raised with senior members of US enforcement and intelligence agencies my deep concern over what I viewed to be a sharp uptick in the interdiction in the flow of cocaine in The Bahamas.  These revelations now underscore the validity of those concerns.”

The indictment also alleges the involvement of an unnamed Bahamian politician in the drug trafficking scheme.  The Prime Minister said he will request a diplomatic note be sent to the United States requesting further information on this.

During his presentation Mr. Davis warned, “to those who believe they can outsmart the assistance of justice and intelligence let this serve as a clear and stern warning, you will be found and you will be held accountable.”

The Prime Minister is expected to meet with the leaders of the RBDF and the RBPF to discuss the allegations in the indictment.