By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THREE Bahamian men are in custody following a $6.2m drug bust in Grand Bahama early yesterday morning, the largest “compressed” drug discovery in recent history on the island according to police.

Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Emrick Seymour reported that the drugs were discovered at a home in the Arden Forest area around 5am.

He said as the result of intelligence, Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) officers went to the residence where they searched and discovered a large quantity of illegal drugs in a southeastern bedroom.

The drugs were seized and a 52-year-old male resident was arrested and taken into custody. Two males were also taken into custody a short time later.

During a press conference at police headquarters, Mr Seymour revealed that officers seized 113 crocus sacks of suspected marijuana, weighing 5,640lbs. They also seized some 67lbs of hashish oil – a more potent form of marijuana – that was found in a suitcase.

He said the marijuana has an estimated street value of $5.6m and the hashish oil is worth some $607,500.

“This is by far one of the largest compressed drug discoveries we have had here in Grand Bahamas (in recent history) and I commend the officers for a job well done,” said Mr Seymour.

Police do not believe that Grand Bahama was the final destination for the drugs that they suspect were to be smuggled out of the island. Mr Seymour indicated that the drugs were ready “for market”.

“We knew all along that drugs are traversing the island of Grand Bahama as our intelligence has suggested, and we are relentless in our pursuit of the perpetrators,” he said.

Mr Seymour said all of the men taken into custody are known to the police. He also noted that there is a possibility that more arrests may occur in connection with yesterday’s seizure. The men, along with the drugs, were flown to New Providence.

In a separate matter, Mr Seymour said police were also able to make another drug arrest at the domestic section at Grand Bahama International Airport on Saturday.

He reported that a male resident of Freeport travelling to Nassau was arrested after he was discovered with four pounds of suspected marijuana.

“We want to send notice to those in the illegal drug trade that we will be relentless in our efforts to bring them to justice,” he said.

The large drug haul follows a series of seizures on the island this year.

A notable find occurred in April, when police found some 75,000 marijuana plants, worth an estimated $7.5m, growing in the pine forest of Grand Bahama. The DEU, with US drug counterparts, made the find after acting on information.

In January, police in Grand Bahama discovered more than $2m worth of marijuana on a beached vessel in the Holmes Rock Grave area.