THE CARIBBEAN
-28-
BAHAMAS
Summary: Societal concern about the problems of drugs remains at a high level. The ruling Progressive Liberal Party beat back a determined challenge in the June 19 general election in which drugs and related corruption were major issues. After the election the Goverment of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas (GCOB) reiterated its policy of close cooperation with the U.S.
in drug interdiction. ex-ministers mentioned negatively by the 1984 Commission of Inquiry Report were re-elected to Parliament but not reappointed to the cabinet. End Summary.
Two
While The Bahamas is not a producer state, it remains а major transit country and a major pipeline for illicit drugs destined for the U.S. Given its proximity to the United States and the scattered and isolated islands, it is ideally suited for smuggling operations. The pervasive effects of drug abuse in the population and drug-related corruption remain a major The tolerant attitude toward drugs among some Bahamians was evident April 20 in an incident on a Grand Bahama public beach in broad daylight. Bahamian citizens on a public holiday stormed a U.S. Customs helicopter
Customs helicopter (based in the U.S. and carrying Bahamian police officers) to prevent the police from seizing the drugs and occupants of a ditched drug plane.
concern.
Effective use by Bahamian authorities of the country's new drug act and successful investigations by the police corruption unit could go a long way in attacking the domestic side of the drug problem in the Bahamas. The increase in U.S. and Bahamian interdiction assets will also increase the risk to traffickers using the country as a transit route.
During the campaign leading to the national elections held on June 19, drug trafficking, corruption and drug abuse were extensively debated. Prime Minister Lynden Pindling's Progressive Liberal Party (PLP), which
which has ruled the Bahamas for the last twenty years, won a total of 31 of parliamentary seats and received 53.5 percent of
53.5 percent of the vote. In public and private statements following the elections, GCOB leaders have recommitted their
government to continued close cooperation with the U.S. Government in fighting drug trafficking.
the 49 popular
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Under the new cabinet announced by the Prime Minister June 27, the Ministry of National Security has been abolished. That Ministry was created in October 1984 and was viewed then a reflection of the Bahamian Government's resolve in
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