EDITOR, The Tribune.

IN 2010, a man (fictitious name Jay) was arrested at LPIA.

He arrived on a charter flight from a neighbouring island nation. He got through immigration and customs, but attracted the attention of our Drug Enforcement Unit officers at the airport. He was stopped and a search of his briefcase revealed four kilos of cocaine. The matter was reported in The Punch.

The Police Prosecutor objected to bail citing the fact that he is a foreigner. His attorney pointed out that the “Jay” is a permanent resident in our country, owns property in Grand Bahama where he resides and is not a flight risk. The Magistrate agreed and granted bail.

I decided to learn more about “Jay” and through my sources in the USA, Grand Bahama and nationals of “Jay” I received the following information:

“Jay” served a term of imprisonment in the USA for criminal activity involving drug trafficking. He was deported to his native country after serving the sentence. “Jay” came to The Bahamas and entered our country illegally in or about the late seventies or early eighties. He very rapidly acquired wealth and owns very valuable property, including his residence in Freeport, Grand Bahama.

In 1992, Jay applied for permanent residence, which was approved in 1994. Apparently, there was no due diligence done or no investigation by the Police or they would have learned about his criminal activity and jail term in the USA. Some years later, “Jay” made a report of housebreaking to the Police in Freeport. Quick response by the police resulted in the recovery of two garbage bags containing 2.8m US dollars. The bandit escaped. The money was confiscated. “Jay” lost his case in the Supreme Court in an effort to have the money returned to him.

The case involving Jay’s 2010 arrest at LPIA was heard three years later.

In the meantime, he and his son were arrested in Freeport for possession of drugs, to wit: cocaine and marijuana. They were charged with possession with intent to supply. The son took the blame and received a custodial sentence.

Jay’s 2010 case resulted in a custodial sentence of four years. Jay was able to get an early release and is now back in Freeport. I have been informed that Jay’s son is still in prison. It is obvious to me, and should be obvious to a person reading this letter, that Jay was a “Drug Baron” in the good old days and the Magistrate who sentenced “Jay” would have ordered deportation after serving sentence.

I have been writing to governments of The Bahamas about Jay since 2010. The Ministry of National Security and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Director of Immigration and the Commissioner of Police should all be familiar with my reports about “Jay”. I am hoping, that the information now being made public someone will act immediately; revocation of permanent residence action in accordance with Chapter 96 (Seizure and Forfeiture, etc) and deportation.

PAUL THOMPSON

Nassau,

January 28, 2015.