By Gerrino J. Saunders
Journal Staff Writer

While he may support the recent United States Supreme Court indictments of 11
Bahamians including high ranking police and defense force officers alleged to be
involved in a large scale drug trafficking ring, Prime Minister Philip Davis has
expressed concern over the way the U.S. is going about the indictment and the
negative impact it could have on the nation’s reputation.
While speaking at a national luncheon for pastors in Fox Hill earlier this week he
expressed sentiments that suggest he is not pleased with the way the U.S. has
executed the indictments including not informing him on the matter prior to
making the indictment public.
The indictment filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of
New York alleges corruption in various Bahamian law enforcement agencies and in
government, and while there may be individuals who may have engaged in corrupt
or criminal activities the Davis administration has maintained that the Government
of The Bahamas and its’ law enforcement agencies are not systemically corrupt.
The Prime Minister, informed that he had no prior knowledge of the U.S.
investigation until the indictment was unsealed and revealed to the general public
on November 26 th . Opposition members have used this fact to insinuate the U.S.
did not trust the current administration because of its alleged corruption and
criminal activity.
Mr. Davis told his audience at the pastors luncheon that he has since expressed his
displeasure with the U.S. Charge d’ Affaires Kimberly Furnish.
“I did call the Charge d’ Affaires in to speak to her about these things and she
explained that she didn’t know about it herself, but said it has nothing to do with
our relationship,
“I had the Minister of Foreign affairs Fred Mitchell speak to the State Department
to tell them what my views are on what they did and they said it had nothing to do
with our relationship,” said Davis.

He then said, “I’m not going to allow this little country, where I am leading, to be
tarnished unfairly.”
Mr. Davis said from his experience the U.S. has very good surveillance and
intelligence capabilities far superior to that of The Bahamas to prevent the
transshipment of narcotics through the region and ultimately into the U.S.
The Prime Minister warned Bahamians not to politicize the matter as the
investigation spans both the Minnis and current administrations.
“So you have to be careful when you try and say well it’s PLP or FNM because
they don’t see PLP or FNM, they see that little black country over there. That’s
what they are seeing,” he said.
Mr. Davis who has been a global leader on matters related to climate change said
The Bahamas’ standing on the international scene has never been better.
While making a communication in Parliament on November 27 th the Prime
Minister said, “this indictment exposes deeply troubling allegations of corruption
within our own borders. It alleges that certain individuals within our law
enforcement agencies, those sworn to protect our nation and its people, chose
instead to betray that trust by facilitating drug and arms trafficking through The
Bahamas.”
“For years, as we fought to keep our borders secure, the very institutions meant to
safeguard our sovereignty were compromised. This revelation strikes at the core of
who we are as a nation.  It is not just a failure of duty—it is a violation of the
Bahamian people’s trust. These actions not only threaten and endanger our citizens
but have also tarnished our nation’s reputation,” he said.
The Prime Minister promises decisive action to ensure that those responsible for
these breaches, regardless of rank or position, are held accountable.  
He said, “this betrayal will not go unanswered. My government will act swiftly
and decisively,” he said.