The Bahamas Department of Correctional Services (BDOCS), formerly Her Majesty’s Prisons, has been in existence in The Bahamas since the early days of the colony’s development. Presently, the facility comprises 7 correctional housing units including; Maximum, Medium, Minimum, Female Housing Units, Annex (Pre-release Dorm), Remand Center, and Central Intake.

Bahamas Department of Correctional Services Drug Challenge Program

Rehabilitation, Treatment and Substance Abuse Services

The Bahamas National Drug Agency (BNDA) was formed in 1994, under the Ministry of Health, in order to streamline purchasing of medicines for public sector health facilities. After the formation of the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA), the BNDA resumed its functioning under the administrative oversight of the PHA as a “shared service” unit. This means that while the PHA has responsibility for the BNDA, the Agency provides services for all public sector pharmacies.

Under the PHA, the scope of the BNDA’s functions also expanded to include:

• Supply management of pharmaceuticals & associated supplies, inclusive of  tendering exercises;
• Development of policy and processes related to pharmacy management & pharmaceutical care;
• Collaboration with institutional Pharmacy & Therapeutic committees;
• Provision of training in various areas of pharmacy practice & supply management;
• Processing of national (public & private) narcotic medication records; and
• Provision of technical advice to the PHA relating to pharmacy matters.

The Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) is primarily an armed service whose role also encompasses aspects of the Coast Guard, including disaster relief.  The organization is mandated to defend the Commonwealth of The Bahamas against traditional and asymmetrical threats to national security.  In its role as a lead agency in Supply Reduction of illicit trafficking of drugs and precursors chemicals, the Force continues to guard and protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Bahamas from transnational crime of all kinds. This includes arms trafficking, human trafficking, and migrant smuggling, combating those who are intent on plundering our reliable fisheries resources. During the year 2015 the RBDF was involved in 4 major drug seizures in partnership with other law enforcement agencies.  On Sunday 5th April RBDF Marines and Park Wardens stationed at the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park (ECLAS) were on routine patrol and discovered several bags of suspected marijuana.

In the second incident on Saturday 19th September, 2015 a team consisting of RBDF Marine and DEU Officers on an OPBAT Operation detected a field in Abaco and uprooted a total of 450 suspected marijuana plants 4-5 ft in height.  Thirdly, on Monday 5th October, 2015   one kilo of suspected cocaine was found in Matthew Town, Inagua.  Finally, in the fourth incident on Saturday 24th October, 2015 Intelligence Officers consisting of Police and Defence Force Marines intercepted a 30ft white Midnight Express Go-fast boat in the area Grassy Creek, South Andros. The Total weight of seizure of illegal drugs was estimated to be 1,983 lbs of marijuana, with a street value of two million dollars.  All of the contrabands were handed over to the Drug Enforcement Unit.

Drug Enforcement Unit

During the early 1980’s the effect of drug trafficking and domestic drug abuse was clearly visible on the streets of The Bahamas. The use of illegal drugs became a growing social concern. Some of the main social negative impact included strain on public health, increased in violent crimes and premature deaths among youths.  Additionally, traffickers and street level dealers operated with little regard for the law. 

These negative social ills and publicities became a great concern to The Government of the Bahamas as it had enormous potential to impact our social, economic and international relations. The Royal Bahamas Police Force was faced with the challenge of restoring The Bahamas good name and credibility. This warranted the need for an organized enforcement unit to bring focus to this escalating problem, thus the birth of the Drug Enforcement Unit in 1988.

To date the Drug Enforcement unit continues to make significant positive contributions to both the demand and supply chain.  The unit has formed social and law enforcement partnerships with key stake holders such as the National Anti-Drug Secretariat, Bahamas National Drug Council, schools, civic groups and a strong alliance with Operation Bahamas, America and Turks and Caicos (OPBAT). Many times, officers of the Drug Enforcement Unit have assisted in the arrest of other serious criminals such as murder suspects, firearms traffickers, arm robbers, and escaped felons.

Marine Support Services Branch

The Marine Support Services Branch (MSSB) of the Royal Bahamas Police Force was formed in 1971 with the acquisition of four 60 foot Mark I Keith Nelson type vessels named Acklins, Andros, San Salvador and Eleuthera.  The Unit was tasked with eradicating the escalated 1960s flow of narcotics and illegal immigrants into Bahamian territory.  Evolving from the Police Marine Division was the Police Marine Support Services Branch located on a compound known as the Old Lighthouse Depot, on East Bay Street in Nassau. During 2015, the MSSB was successful in the execution of four major drug interdictions on the high seas which resulted in the seizures 4,573.lbs pounds of suspected marijuana, 4 ‘go–fast’ vessels and the arrest of 10 suspects who were subsequently charged for drug related offences.