A source who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said three of the boats that were leaving the country on Friday ran aground in waters off South Beach. The source said armed Defence Force officers robbed and threatened the Koreans on board.
It was claimed that two leading seamen along with other parties boarded avessel. A Samsonite bag owned by the Koreans was cut open and $6,000 was stolen along with a wristwatch. The officers aimed their 9millimeter pistol at the Koreans and told them if they reported the matter, they [officers] would return to kill them,” the source revealed.
According to the anonymous source, the Koreans reported the matter to the Defence Force and to the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Reginald Ferguson. The source also alleged that two Defence Force officers were being held at the Criminal Investigation Department for questioning.
Mr Ferguson confirmed on Thursday that police received a request from the Defence Force to investigate a matter that involves “allegations” made by persons owning the Korean boats. These persons, he said, alleged that the boats were boarded and properties were taken by Defence Force officers.
“We have been requested to investigate that, but this just came in to us. We will be investigating it and see what the allegations lead to. The investigator has not been able to peruse that file as yet to determine exactly where it [the case] is going. We have no one in custody, just let me say that point blank [but] I, got the request [from the RDBF] yesterday evening,” Mr Ferguson said.
The Guardian also contacted the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, however, its Personnel and Recruiting Officer, Franklin Clarke as well as the Captain of Coral Harbour, Raymond Farquharson, remained silent about the matter. Captain Farquharson said all information issued to the press had to come from the Ministry of National Security and The Guardian was also told that RBDF Commodore, Davy Rolle, is on leave.
Undersecretary at the Ministry of National Security, Peter Deveaux-Isaacs explained that a Korean male went to the Defence Force base at Coral Harbour, where he was entertained by the Captain at Coral Harbour, Raymond Ferguson. Mr Deveaux-Isaacs said the Korean alleged that one of his boats had run aground and “someone” who may have thought the boat belonged to illegal immigrants, summoned the Defence Force.
“The allegation [made by the Korean] was the Defence Force was called out and went to the boat and eventually lifted this money [$6,000] from the crew. This is what we were told,” he said.
Mr Deveaux-Isaacs said the RBDF conducted a brief investigation after the allegations were made and the matter has been turned over to the police. He added however, that the Ministry of National Security has no evidence that the robbers were members of the Defence Force. He said he was also told by the police that no officers were being held for questioning.
“It is a developing investigation, but my information is that nobody is being held and nobody was in fact held,” Mr Deveaux-Isaacs said.
The National Security Undersecretary said the ministry would also find it difficult to believe that personnel from the Defence Force were involved in such acts. He stressed however, that if the allegations are factual, the ministry will not condone such conduct and the individual (s) will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Also, Comptroller of Customs, John Rolle, told The Guardian Wednesday that six of the 15 Korean fishing vessels impounded have left the country, and the remaining nine boats are expected to leave by the end of this week. Mr Rolle said the group of six Korean men had to supply Customs with an invoice to prove they actually bought the 15 boats, and the Koreans are now fully responsible for the boats removal.
Tamara McKenzie, The Nassau Guardian
