The Tribune

By DANA SMITH

dsmith@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was last night being quizzed after a boat carrying 28 Haitian migrants capsized off Abaco on route to South Florida.

Alphonse Edner, 43, pictured, of Sand Bank, Treasure Cay, Abaco, was taken into custody on Friday after police issued a wanted alert.

Police believe Edner has information that could help with their investigation and he is one of 'a number of people' who were taken into custody.

The vessel 'Glory Time' capsized at 9pm on June 10 after experiencing engine problems off North Abaco in the area of Hawksbill Cay.

According to sources, as the boat began to take on water, five people immediately jumped from the sinking vessel, swam for hours and followed the light until they came ashore at Treasure Cay.

When they got on land they separated and police were alerted - nearly 24 hours after the boat had set sail.

A police spokesman said yesterday of the tragedy: "A number of people have been taken into custody and charges are expected to be brought against them."

On Saturday Emrick Seymour, Assistant Commissioner of Police in Grand Bahama, told The Tribune: "The investigation is well under way and we feel pretty good that in the not so distant future we will be filing charges."

Mr Seymour said the warrant issued for 52-year-old Chancelaire Baptiste was also still outstanding. Baptiste is believed to be the boat's captain.

Occupants reportedly paid up to $5,000 per person to be smuggled into the United States.

Police have so far recovered 11 bodies from the sunken vessel, including five children.

Seven survivors are currently helping police with their inquiries and ten other passengers are still unaccounted for.

Some police sources have said the ten individuals, who are believed to be all illegal migrants, may be hiding in Abaco.

Bahamas Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell has pushed for stiffer penalties for persons convicted of trafficking, saying the practice of smuggling must be stamped out.

Mr Mitchell, along with FNM leader Dr Hubert Minnis and DNA leader, Branville McCartney, expressed condolences to the government and the people of Haiti over the deaths.