Commander Clarke, who was testifying before the three-member Lorequin Commission of Inquiry, said the initial boarding team of four Defence Force officers only had a handheld radio, a search light and firearms.
The government appointed the inquiry to investigate the circumstances surrounding the arrest of the crew of the Lorequin and the disappearance of packages of cocaine in the process.
Commander Clarke said while one of the officers searched the Lorequin and its two crewmembers, he and two others observed the search. He added that the officer searched from the bowels of the 42-foot boat, working his way up to the stern.
The Commission’s President Stanley Moore asked, “Isn’t it a notorious fact that drug running ships do not have the drugs on exhibition on their main deck?”
In his response, Commander Clarke said some of the boarding crewmembers are “well trained” in detecting false compartments.
Commissioner Moore then said that instruments such as saws, chisels and crowbars are sometimes needed to gain access to such compartments. He noted that in many instances drugs are likely to be concealed in the most ingenious ways and are often discovered only after much ripping, cutting and breaking of compartments.
In grilling Commander Clarke on his crew’s state of readiness to conduct the search, Commissioner Moore learned that the crew was also not in possession of safety boots, protective clothing or gloves.
Under cross examination by Attorney Wayne Munroe who was holding brief for Raphael Moxey, Commander Clarke said that absolutely no packages were removed from the Lorequin during the detention at the dock behind the Poop Deck Restaurant. He added that the cocaine was in bright orange packages and quite noticeable.
The commander said following the search in the Nassau Harbour, the Lorequin pulled out about five minutes before the Inagua, but was always in his view.
He said he met the police at the Coral Harbour Base when he pulled In, with the Lorequin “right afterwards.”
He said that the police searched the crew and their belongings and no member of the crew was permitted to leave the Inagua as it was still on sailing duty.
Commander Clarke testified that police officers also “dipped fuel tanks” during their search.
The Monday following the incident, Commander Clarke was reportedly summoned to the Drug Enforcement Unit. He said police officers were not harsh with him, but the other Inagua crewmembers reported that they were dealt with harshly.
Hadassah Hall, The Bahama Journal
