Scores of boats tie up alongside stranded container barge raiding the vessel of its cargo in North Abaco on November 13, 2025.
By LEANDRA ROLLE
Tribune Chief Reporter
lrolle@tribunemedia.net
THE Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) has formed a specialised taskforce to target those who looted a grounded container barge in Abaco last week, with six people now in custody.
Deputy Police Commissioner Kirkwood Andrews confirmed the additional arrests yesterday, adding that several items have also been recovered. Two of the arrests were made on the barge Friday, while the other four were taken into custody on Sunday
“The task force, we’ve been investigating and questioning those persons in custody and will see where this investigation takes us,” he told The Tribune yesterday, adding that police intend to pursue everyone involved.
Asked yesterday what message he had for those reluctant to return looted items for fear of prosecution, DCP Andrews said he would not promise protection but urged anyone with concerns about items in their possession to still reach out to police.
The grounded barge, The Brooklyn Bridge, quickly became the centre of attention last week after brazen daylight raids sparked wild scenes and prompted a police investigation.
Trailer Bridge, the US-based operator, said an estimated 90 percent of containers were compromised following the barge’s grounding on a reef near Nunjack Cay.
The company later criticised police for what it described as a slow response, while dismissing claims that residents were invited aboard to help or to “lighten the load,” calling them “entirely false.”
National Security Minister Wayne Munroe, however, pushed back against the criticism, calling the owners “ungrateful” while defending the police’s operation.
He said authorities mobilised once it became clear the Brooklyn Bridge barge had been left unsecured by its owners, ultimately arresting two men found on the vessel.
He likened the situation to abandoning a shopping mall without security and said the government redirected limited patrol assets usually assigned to anti-poaching and migrant-interdiction duties to secure private property after it was left vulnerable.
“The owners of this thing are ungrateful,” he said. “To basically redirect one vessel to secure personal property that the owner could have put security guards on, is something that the state did at great expense in terms of manpower,” he said, adding: “That comes at a cost.”
Comments
Sickened 2 weeks, 2 days ago
LOL. Any confiscated goods will be stored and then handed out to supporters leading up to the next general election.
lovingbahamas 2 weeks, 2 days ago
what a shame for we Bahamians. To have this on the international news with prominent people saying it is ok to steal is not going to help tourism. Indeed, all the Bahamian talk about the damage to the reef by the barge, and yet the looters were throwing waste into the water like crazy. No one has addressed that. We are a religious people-at least we claim to be. What happened to "thou shalt not steal"? I am so ashamed of my people that took part in this and hopefully the RBDF can solve this and punish the people who took what wasn't theirs.
tell_it_like_it_is 2 weeks, 1 day ago
They are only doing this now due to negative press exposure. Sad!
Dawes 2 weeks, 1 day ago
So wait is this not the job of the police? or are they to just cause traffic jams as they hope to find someone unlicensed. Why a specialist taskforce to do what the police are meant to do. Or is this a public show to make people think something is being done?
Seaman 2 weeks, 1 day ago
How F ing stupid are they.....the captain of the Tug and the Salvage company has enough pictures and videos to convict most of Abaco. From the big boys in a church on Green Turle Cay down to the common man. One of the church member is all over town crying from fear that the law is coming for him.. Selling it in his store...If God was like man...Plenty Abaco people dead. You know what.......I haven't seen a picture of a conchy Joe looting .... Too dumb or too smart?? The US will mash up the Bahamas unless they get satisfaction.
Seaman 2 weeks, 1 day ago
I have yet to hear or see anything from the FNM or the COI condemning these action...Can't speak out about their family and voters. Prove me wrong someone.
realfreethinker 2 weeks, 1 day ago
This is not a political thing. This is a law enforcement issue. Politicians do not to speak on every issue.
Porcupine 2 weeks, 1 day ago
Still waiting for the task force that will reveal the name of the corrupt high-level politician who is claimed to be still serving in government. Task force, for what? Jokey leaders.
rosiepi 2 weeks, 1 day ago
So Bahamians are being told that a Task Force is needed to solve this caper filmed by every Tom, Dick & Harry? Given the reality of this ‘special investigation’ and our present government doesn’t that sound like an ideal vehicle to launder money? The only question to Davis&Co is how much!
And Munroe certainly put his foot in it didn’t he by accusing the vessel owners of abandoning their cargo, as only “2 security officers” were needed to guard it! Please remember this witless remark when he and other authorities defend the guilty officials and officers claiming they “were overwhelmed by looters, in fear of their lives!”
Just one honest intelligent policeman officer w/some knowledge of the Abacos (if he/she exists) is needed to supervise a few outside officers/authorities to identify and chasing down the individuals/boat owners pictured bellying up to trough. As for the cargo…? Maybe some lunkheads still have it in…how many islands??
Porcupine 2 weeks, 1 day ago
It is truly sad, isn't it?
rosiepi 2 weeks ago
It is Porcupine.
One 2 weeks, 1 day ago
And what will they do? After public officials let it happen and said it would lighten the load
bahamianson 2 weeks, 1 day ago
Yeah, special task force are called the police force, defense force and CID. What the hell?
TalRussell 2 weeks ago
Yes, God fearing Abacoian Loyalists, experiencing a taste of "be careful what and where you shop at." Can lead to serious "Freddy" consequences, including deportation, individuals not straight with they work permit or status papers. -- Hear Sir Brian Moree Kt.; KC is the best schooled in Admiralty law. But set you back pretty penny. Brian's contact is at McKinney, Bancroft & Hughes.
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