The government is cracking down on a number of human traffickers, according to National Security Minister Dr. Bernard Nottage.

The minister’s remarks came during the launch of a two day Trafficking in Persons (TIP) workshop at the Paul Farquharson Centre, Police Headquarters.

According to Dr. Nottage, statistics reveal that during the period January 2015 to April 2016, 55 individuals were interviewed as possible victims of trafficking in persons.

Of the 55, 48 were adult females and seven were adult males.

Investigators also interviewed one female juvenile.

Eleven of the individuals interviewed, including the juvenile, were identified as victims of trafficking in persons.

“Similar success has also been achieved in the prosecution of persons involved in trafficking in persons as since January 2015, five persons – including one female – were prosecuted in Magistrate’s Court with offences under the Trafficking in Persons Act and the Sexual Offences Act. These matters are ongoing before the courts,” he said.

“Trafficking in Persons (Prevention and Suppression) Act (TIP Act) 2008, plays a pivotal role in the Government’s anti-trafficking in persons response. The Act not only provides for specific responses to be carried out by the Minister of National Security, but also provides specific roles for the Minister of Social Services and Community Development, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration.”

Although human trafficking was an area often thought of as a non issue in the country, Dr. Nottage said the government’s efforts to identify, investigate and prosecute persons involved in human trafficking are ongoing.

Investigation of TIP cases is led and coordinated by members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force in conjunction with a specialized team of prosecutors from the office of the attorney general.

Dr. Nottage noted that the government has been intentional in its fight against this issue since 2012, and as far as Dr. Nottage is concerned, the country has been successful in its fight.