Monday, September 1, 2025
By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS
Tribune Staff Reporter
lmunnings@tribunemedia.net
CONVICTED Colombian drug trafficker Carlos Lehder has, for the first time, publicly claimed he gave $150,000 a month to Everette Bannister to pass directly to former Prime Minister Sir Lynden Pindling.
Lehder made the allegation in a YouTube interview with former mobster Michael Franzese, promoted alongside his new book, where he detailed how he turned Norman’s Cay into a cocaine smuggling hub and described a financial arrangement that, he said, shielded him from interference at the highest levels of Bahamian government.
“I had a very good relationship with the Prime Minister Lynden Pindling, and part of the secret was discovered — Mr Pindling and myself — when his liaison was called Everette Bannister, the Prime Minister’s right hand man. He would come to my island every month, I’ll give him $150,000, and this is the middle-man that brings it to his boss,” he said.
“I’m very comfortable saying this and it’s all in the book, Everette Bannister’s son Gorman, when I was on trial 30 some years ago, 35 years ago, the young guy came in as a witness against me and told the jury, the judge and the DEA that his father will bring him sometimes to Norman’s Cay to pick up the money I paid, so he spilled the beans. He opened up the door to all the situations too. I was careful in keeping that as confidential as possible. All the time, organised crime or smugglers try to grease or pay authorities that can stop their business.”
Lehder’s remarks revive one of the most controversial chapters in Bahamian history. US prosecutors in the 1980s alleged that millions of dollars in drug money were funneled into The Bahamas, with suspicions long swirling that Sir Lynden or those close to him benefited from the cocaine trade. The Washington Post reported in 1988 that US authorities considered indicting Sir Lynden on conspiracy charges related to narcotics trafficking, after evidence suggested at least $5m in bribes flowed to Bahamian officials to allow drug flights to operate freely through Norman’s Cay and other islands.
A 1985 Royal Commission of Inquiry, established in The Bahamas amid growing scandal, stopped short of proving direct criminal involvement by Sir Lynden but found that between 1977 and 1983 his household spending exceeded his salary eightfold, with more than $2.8m in unexplained deposits made to his accounts. The commission’s findings shook the country, with one commissioner, Bishop Drexel Gomez, dissenting to say he could not accept that all of the payments were unrelated to drug trafficking.
Lehder’s reference to Everette Bannister underscores how central the Nassau businessman was viewed by US investigators. In 1989, the Los Angeles Times reported that American prosecutors accused Bannister of acting as a conduit for cartel bribes to Bahamian officials. His son Gorman testified in US court that he accompanied his father on trips to Norman’s Cay to collect payments from Lehder.
Lehder said in the interview that he bought most of Norman’s Cay and its hotel, turning the island into a fortified base for Medellín operations. “I purchased the hotel, the private island. That was the gig, that was the powerful thing. There were no authorities, no police or customs,” he said.
He explained that the timing of his operations coincided with Bahamian independence. “When I arrived in The Bahamas, the British government had turned over the islands to the African Bahamian population,” he said. “The British left, and the new government under Prime Minister Sir Lynden Pindling was free and independent. They decided to be more open about tourism, which enticed me to look for a place like my Hong Kong Island, where I could see the United States in front of me. That made it feasible to smuggle cocaine into Florida.”
Lehder was one of the most notorious figures in the Medellín Cartel. Convicted in 1988 in the United States, he was sentenced to life in prison plus 135 years for drug trafficking and racketeering. After cooperating with US prosecutors, he received a reduced term and ultimately served 33 years behind bars before being released in 2020 under a deal tied to his German citizenship.
Reflecting on his fortune and power during the interview, Lehder said: “I was able to achieve close to $100m, but I had gigantic expenses — keeping an island, farms, airplanes, hangars, security, people working in other roles, paying the police, paying some politicians.”
He also described the perils of survival in the drug underworld. “I challenged the DEA for 12 years,” he said. “I was successful in avoiding law enforcement ships and planes and, which is more lethal, my competition in the criminal world.” He recounted being kidnapped in Colombia and escaping, and the constant threat posed by rivals. “I had very good trainers. I had many weapons, calibre weapons training, and the enemy knew my capabilities, and I was able most of the time to dissuade or persuade the enemy don’t mess with me,” he said.
Clarifying the so-called Medellín Cartel’s structure, Lehder stressed that it was never a monolithic organisation. “Many thousands of people in Medellín wanted to ship small amounts of cocaine to the US,” he said. “Some of us, like myself, Pablo Escobar, the Ochoa brothers, we were a group that opened export offices individually, not together. Eventually, there were 26 cocaine export offices in Medellín. The US called it a cartel, but it was never a unified organisation.”
He closed with a reflection on the futility of the trade: “Eventually, the game will be over. Every transaction risked freedom and life. Many didn’t survive. I did.”
Comments
hrysippus says...
And there we have it..........
Posted 1 September 2025, 9:07 a.m. Suggest removal
tell_it_like_it_is says...
While I believe all political parties have skeletons in their closets, whether it's FNM or PLP... you should really provide evidence to support the claims.
Posted 1 September 2025, 5:07 p.m. Suggest removal
realitycheck242 says...
The truth has set him free ......let's see what the stupid PLP's will say about this.
Posted 1 September 2025, 10:08 a.m. Suggest removal
bahamianson says...
Good tea for Monday morning!
Posted 1 September 2025, 11:15 a.m. Suggest removal
birdiestrachan says...
He can say anything he wants to say the devil is the father of lies so as he is no saint he can lie
Mr Pindling is dead he can not defend himself.
Posted 1 September 2025, 11:41 a.m. Suggest removal
pileit says...
you sure is show up here quick sputtering nonsense to try whitewash dirty people... here's you in rare form from 9 years ago... talkin the same horsesht
https://www.tribune242.com/news/2016/ma…
Posted 1 September 2025, 1:07 p.m. Suggest removal
bahamianson says...
Well, if we can celebrate and remember him, can’t we talk about him? I think so.
Posted 1 September 2025, 3:57 p.m. Suggest removal
GodSpeed says...
Everette Bannister’s son was lying too right 👀
Posted 1 September 2025, 6:42 p.m. Suggest removal
sheeprunner12 says...
Birdiestrachan must be Fweddy or Latrae 🤔
Or that other fool, Anton 🤣🤣🤣
I am sure Ingraham, Perry & Brave won't comment on this. They know where all of the PLP skeletons/cash is buried.
Posted 1 September 2025, 1:27 p.m. Suggest removal
rosiepi says...
The Devil knew just where his lies would find the most fertile ground didn’t he?
Posted 1 September 2025, 1:40 p.m. Suggest removal
TalRussell says...
**Your Most Humble Comrade Tal's: "I Put it To You" Footnotes:** --- What became after the time Carlos Lehder controlled his very own private Bahamian drug-smuggling island - Norman's Cay...where even in 2025, evidence has surfaced of the Bahamian Immigration, **turning an blind eye** as to who is allowed to stay, **or be forcibly escorted off the island.** --- The intelligence gathering ghost of the late Comrade MP Norman **Solomon,** says. Just can't make this up. --- Go ask one who has written of the UBPs former House-seated MP...Tribune Columnist Diane Phillips? -- "I Put it To You". ---- Whilst Private Islands Ownership, might have changed hands...some "government departments enforcements methods, haven't." -- "Yes?
Posted 1 September 2025, 3:45 p.m. Suggest removal
pileit says...
wth does this even mean? you & birdie need to go crawl in one cave and close yinna eye.
Posted 1 September 2025, 3:56 p.m. Suggest removal
birdiestrachan says...
O yea what this jail bird said is gospel. To those who wish to throw mud. They believe every word .
Posted 1 September 2025, 4:29 p.m. Suggest removal
joeblow says...
... its hard to imagine that someone can sell drugs out of your home or yard for years and you, the homeowner, do not know! Pindling had to have either known or received something! Just commonsense at work!
Posted 1 September 2025, 5 p.m. Suggest removal
GodSpeed says...
Where did Ping get all that extra income?
Posted 1 September 2025, 6:43 p.m. Suggest removal
joeblow says...
...I hope it doesn't take 30 years for the truth about the gangsterism surrounding Baha Mar or Nygard to come out! Our leaders as as corrupt as they come, that's why they have to give themselves titles like Honorable, KC etc., to manufacture some "integrity"!
Posted 1 September 2025, 4:36 p.m. Suggest removal
birdiestrachan says...
The USA did not.bring charges because they had no evidence. Now if you have evidence concerning Bah mar or Nygard bring it
Posted 1 September 2025, 5:25 p.m. Suggest removal
hrysippus says...
It seems that Birdii does not know of mr. P.l.p. (we got our country back) Nygard's current address.
Posted 1 September 2025, 5:32 p.m. Suggest removal
SP says...
Three can keep a secret if 2 are dead!
Posted 1 September 2025, 5:43 p.m. Suggest removal
TalRussell says...
The Westminster system took some time to work.-- **One political hara-kiri became known as the Crown's Minister who it was hushed said at the time to have slept in empty caskets moving nightly from funeral home to funeral home hoping to avoid hitmen's bullets. -- Yes?
Posted 1 September 2025, 5:48 p.m. Suggest removal
birdiestrachan says...
It is said the USA will indict a ham sandwich. No one in the Bahamas was indicated. So you all can dream on
Posted 1 September 2025, 6:05 p.m. Suggest removal
whatsup says...
$150,000 per month almost 50 years ago......today would be $1,000.000.00 per month?
Posted 1 September 2025, 6:16 p.m. Suggest removal
TalRussell says...
Actually, in today's 150,000 (Vesco) US$ would be the equivalent 667,454.55 US$.
Posted 1 September 2025, 6:34 p.m. Suggest removal
GodSpeed says...
Father of the Nation was a crook? Oh no, say it ain't so 😱
Posted 1 September 2025, 6:38 p.m. Suggest removal
bahamianson says...
Donald Trump would do the Bahamas a great service if they exposed all the evidence of all the corruption we have had in this country for the past 40 years. Our government will not expose anyone. Wears dumb , stupid Bahamians must take their word because they will not put each other in jail. We need Donald Trump to expose all information about past and present leaders. At least we can know the truth and shame them in their tracks. When the plp rejected our voice when we voted against the irregular numbers boys, we should have sent them packing. That was a disservice to the Bahamian voter. The United States needs to step in and help the Bahamian people get rid of all corruption.
Posted 1 September 2025, 7:13 p.m. Suggest removal
Porcupine says...
Anyone who suggests that donald trump has ever told the truth is delusional.
He is scum. no more, no less.
Probably would be in good company in our Parliament.
Posted 1 September 2025, 7:49 p.m. Suggest removal
bahamianson says...
Was I mistaken? Did anyone say anything about Donald Trump telling the truth? You saw a donkey and you rode it. What I want is the evidence that the United States has on all our questionable leaders exposed. The US keeps information to themselves only because or regional politics. If anyone thinks for a moment that a leader or leaders in our country have not taken bribes in the last 50 years , they are surely mistaken. Touche’ , you got me there. That last line did it. I concede , you won that .
Posted 1 September 2025, 8:29 p.m. Suggest removal
Proguing says...
Lol, Porcupine is good example of the Trump derangement syndrome…
Posted 2 September 2025, 8 a.m. Suggest removal
ThisIsOurs says...
I think birdie missed the fact that there was a very very lengthy investigation into allegations around drug operations in the Bahamas. Many "I dont recalls" were spoken in response to questions on the absolutely inexplicable. As the article stated:
"*one commissioner, Bishop Drexel Gomez, dissenting to say he could not accept that all of the payments* (in Pindlings bank account) *were unrelated to drug trafficking.*"
**A household expenditure that grew at eight times Pindlings salary??** Something Pindling was likewise literally incapable of explaining? The wife living in the house had to ask some questions, **isnt that what we ask today of mothers of young boys who bring home expensive goods with no evidence of working for them?** The "*well he was never convicted*" also reminds me of the statement from Brave Davis on the active US indictment, ~"*notice the indictment says the politician asked for 2million* (to facilitate cocaine transshipment), *it doesnt say he accepted the 2million*".
I'm not certain that Pindling could have ever been convicted in the Bahamas, even today, the drug money tentacles stretched too far throughout the country. Many "good" persons who boast today of their self made success could probably detail money they made from direct involvement in the drug trade, hush money or money paid to hold drugs for the neighbourhood dealer.
You ask yourself, how Nygard could have operated for so long in the Bahamas, with multiple persons reporting rapes to the police, and still be able to stand beside the PM Christie, call Shane Gibson his man of business, show up on video with numerous PLP cabinet ministers standing around as he shot some unknown substance into his vein with a hypodermic needle, exclaiming, ~"*I can feel it working already*" and not a single solidarity police investigation on record??? How could Flowers and Percy and Sebas have operated for decades and all the police ever found was a "*spinning wheel*"?
**There is more than enough evidence that "*enough evidence*" in the Bahamas isnt enough to interrupt a high ranking official's well greased smooth operation**
Posted 2 September 2025, 3:55 a.m. Suggest removal
sheeprunner12 says...
The PLP leaders & the Pindling family are beyond disingenuous .......
These are the same people who created TWO national holidays to honour SLOP and try to name as many public edifices and spaces as they can after SLOP. Then they lay wreaths and have worship services 3-4 times per year to get more PR out of a dead man to fuel their evil empire.
But now that a man who walked, talked and bribed SLOP for almost a decade to run drugs through our country is speaking out (after spending 30+ years in jail) and giving some grimy details that can hijack the New Day PLP con artist stories, they are catching feelings???
Man, tell all of these lying SOBs to STFU. Pindling & the Old Guard PLPs were crooks, Lady P knew it and the kids as well ..... Don't mind these 21st century PLPs, they are living in the Ana Nicole, Nygard, Bahamar, Sebas, & FTX era of PLP mafioso government.
Posted 2 September 2025, 6:21 a.m. Suggest removal
realitycheck242 says...
tell emm sheep
Posted 2 September 2025, 7:30 a.m. Suggest removal
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