FNM takes DEA 'Politician 1' allegations to police

By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Digital Editor

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

OPPOSITION members have formally asked police to investigate allegations contained in a United States federal affidavit that references an unnamed Bahamian politician allegedly linked to a drug trafficking conspiracy.

In a letter dated June 11 and addressed to Commissioner of Police Shanta Knowles, Opposition Leader Michael Pintard called for an “urgent and comprehensive investigation” into allegations outlined in a sworn complaint filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York involving Jonathan Eric Gardiner, also known as “Player”.

The request comes as political tensions continue to mount over a US court filing that alleges an unnamed Bahamian politician met an undercover Drug Enforcement Administration source and a pilot inside a Parliament building in October 2024 to discuss a cocaine shipment allegedly worth $30m.

The filing refers to the unnamed figure as “Politician-1".

The opposition leader urged police, in coordination with relevant national security agencies and international partners, to identify and investigate any individual who may be “Politician 1”, determine whether any elected official or public officer facilitated criminal activity, and examine whether members of law enforcement or security agencies provided assistance or protection to criminal networks.

Mr Pintard said portions of the complaint raised serious concerns because they referred to the movement of narcotics from Colombia through The Bahamas to the United States, alleged the involvement of a Bahamian political figure, and suggested access to or protection from politicians, government officials and members of the security services.

“These allegations, as presented in a sworn complaint before a U.S. federal court, raise profound national security concerns and, if substantiated, would represent a serious breach of public trust, the rule of law, and the integrity of public institutions,” he wrote.

He also called for investigations into potential money laundering activities, financial flows and beneficial ownership structures linked to individuals or entities associated with the alleged enterprise.

The letter additionally requests a review of government contracts, concessions and financial dealings involving Gardiner's company Top Notch Builders Limited and any affiliated entities.

Mr Pintard noted that information already in the public domain indicates Top Notch was awarded contracts for the Obadiah Wilchcombe Complex in Grand Bahama and the Renaissance at Carmichael housing development in New Providence.

The letter read: "Given the seriousness of the allegations and their potential implications for national security, international reputation, and public confidence in governance, it is essential that this matter be addressed with urgency, independence, and full transparency.

"The public must be assured that no individual - regardless of position - is above the law, and that all allegations of criminal conduct touching public office are investigated thoroughly and impartially."

The request marks the latest escalation by the Free National Movement over the allegations, which have dominated political debate this week.

The issue has sparked heated exchanges in the House of Assembly after House Speaker Patricia Deveaux blocked repeated attempts by Mr Pintard to table documents related to the U.S. complaint. 

The Office of the Prime Minister has said the government would seek information from U.S. authorities and that local law enforcement agencies would begin their own inquiries.

Mr Pintard's letter was also copied to National Security Minister Myles Laroda and Attorney General Wayne Munroe.

It was signed by all opposition MPs in the Lower House, including Kwasi Thompson, Adrian White, Adrian Gibson, Michela Barnett-Ellis, Frazette Gibson, Lincoln Deal and James Leo Ferguson.

Comments

Cobalt says...

Does Mr. Pintard really believe that the RBPF is going to indict themselves??? The Police Department along with corrupt politicians are the ones responsible for the drug trafficking, gun trafficking, and human trafficking in the region, and everybody knows it. It’s actually a slap in our faces. Both affiliates within the upper echelon of government and law enforcement are all co-conspirators. Nothing leaves nor enters the Bahamas without their approval.

Posted 12 June 2026, 5:06 a.m. Suggest removal

JohnQ says...

Laughable. The US investigation will maintain confidentiality in order to "twist arms" and secure plea deals and testimony. It should come as no surprise that some people in Bahama land are nervous.

Posted 12 June 2026, 7:31 a.m. Suggest removal

Cobalt says...

The U.S. doesn’t have to rely on blackmail tactics in order to influence our government. They own the Bahamas already. We rely on them for sustenance and survival. The fact that they haven’t disclosed the perpetrator is solely due to diplomacy.

Posted 12 June 2026, 9:08 a.m. Suggest removal

GodSpeed says...

They already knew about it before he made the complaint and did nothing, they won't be doing anything and are likely involved.

Posted 12 June 2026, 7:40 a.m. Suggest removal

birdiestrachan says...

Allegations has a meaning it is not factual Mr Pintard had a photo shot with the rest of the dullards
The BAHAMAS POLICE INVESTIGATION IS AS GOOD AS ANY IN THE WORLD. WE ARE NO LESS. THE FNM tried to destroy Mr Smith. Now they are after Mr. HALKITIS IT WILL NOT WORK HE IS A GOOD UPSTANDING MAN EDUCATED UNLIKE THE TOGGIE AND BOGGIE Pintard that was low
Mr Halkitis would never stop that low

Posted 12 June 2026, 8:18 a.m. Suggest removal

pileit says...

Based on the content you continue to spew in this forum, I don't find you qualified to determine who or what is good, upstanding, or educated. Your mindset is analogous with vermin, what is needful is lawful to you. Social media has thrust in your face RBPF officers seeking bribes for traffic stops, waving beers around while on patrol, sayin "we drinkin!!", caught on audio recording discussing armored vehicle robbery payoffs, on audio & video recordings brokering drug deals... the list goes on. Yet here you are: 'DERE INWESTIGATION JES AS GOOD AS DE BESS IN DER WURLLLL!!!". Yea, its all gossip according to the street thug straining that chair in parliament to its load limits. The SDNY attorneys office is known to gossip, are they?

Posted 12 June 2026, 10:17 a.m. Suggest removal

birdiestrachan says...

Kawsi Thompson if Gardner is so bad that even a name on the same.paper.with him condemns one. Imagine the DNA of Gardner is in your family.

Posted 12 June 2026, 8:46 a.m. Suggest removal

licks2 says...

Just look at yinna yard-chickens them all over the damn place and een take one look at what Mr. Pintard asked our COP to do!! The COP will send that damn junk right back to them childish FNM dem!! Mr. Gardiner een had his PI yet. . .to prove that what is said in them documents are true and valid the person who accused him een a dang liar themselves!!

Until then we don't know if that person who made the accusation een a damn liar and just talking to hear himself talk.

So, until the judge assigned the case in NY decides that the case is sufficient and has probable cause to go to trial. . .yinna are just left with a pile of what? Talking in HOA? The crimes are ALLEGED to have taken place in jurisdictions of SA and USA!!! Yinna must remember nah. . .them documents said that Gardiner is alleged to have assist in importing drugs into the USA, not into the Bahamas! It is alleged to been deported from SA. . .transit the Bahamas. . .imported into USA!! Gardiner is alleged to have been the facilitator. . .not the exporter or importer! So how are we to investigate from here when we don't grow and export drugs from here? Yinna see how yall "F"ing-up by following the dumb FNM group in the HOA?
So yinna saying that a conspiracy took place in our HOA? What is the conspiracy? Talking about running drugs is not a crime until you run them drugs! Did yall ever think that NY een charged Gardiner yet is because the file given to them can't make its way through court??

They did not charge in FL. . .they did not in NY. . . now een nobody know where Gardiner is!!

So please act like yinna gat some damn sense and allow due process. . . DON'T BE LIKE MIKE!!

Posted 12 June 2026, 4:49 p.m. Suggest removal

TalRussell says...

I believe the mental arithmetic tracking in my head is that low percentage first time young voters did vote for redshirts' and yellowshirts' but told me it was with great resistances and no major shift favouring either shirts' colours.

Posted 13 June 2026, 6:50 p.m. Suggest removal

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