Two men named in a US indictment that alleges corruption in The Bahamas’ police and defense forces in relation to drug trafficking, were arraigned in a New York court last week.
William Simeon, a Bahamian, and Luis Fernando Orozco-Toro, a Colombian, were arraigned on December 18.
They were charged with cocaine importation conspiracy; firearms use, carrying and possession, and firearms conspiracy.
Simeon, represented by attorney Valerie Gotlib, pleaded not guilty.
Orozco-Toro, represented by attorney David Touger, also pleaded not guilty.
The indictment, which was unsealed in November, alleges that drug traffickers smuggled tons of cocaine into The Bahamas and into the US with the support and protection of corrupt Bahamian police and defense force officers.
Thirteen people are named in the indictment – 11 Bahamians and two Colombians.
The indictment alleges that Simeon, who uses various alias, is a drug-trafficker.
“Simeon works closely with certain corrupt RBPF officials and others both to transport cocaine into The Bahamas (typically by air, from its point of origin in South America), and then transport cocaine to the United States (typically by boat) for distribution,” the indictment said.
Orozco-Toro is a drug trafficker who ships cocaine from South America to the US via The Bahamas, it is alleged.
Orozco-Toro works closely with his “Bahamian drug-trafficking partners, including Davon Revion Khaim Rolle”.
Rolle, according to the indictment, is a maritime drug trafficker who operates out of Nassau and Bimini.
The indictment also names Chief Superintendent Elvis Curtis, officer-in-charge of the Airport Division, Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) Sergeant Prince Albert Symonette, who worked closely with Curtis, and Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) Chief Petty Officer Darrin Roker as conspirators who helped facilitate the transshipment of tons of cocaine from South America through The Bahamas and ultimately into the United States.
Shortly after the indictment was unsealed, it was revealed that Curtis and Roker were arrested in the US.
After the indictment, Symonette was discharged from the police force and Commissioner of Police Clayton Fernander recommended Curtis be dismissed.
Roker was dismissed from the Royal Bahamas Defence Force.
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Publish date : 2024-12-22 23:30:00
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