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Did drug conspiracy sway murder probe?

Geovani Rolle

Geovani Rolle

By LEANDRA ROLLE

Tribune Chief Reporter

lrolle@tribunemedia.net 

THE family of Geovani Rolle, who was brutally murdered in June, is questioning whether the police investigation into his death was compromised in view of explosive corruption allegations involving some law enforcement officers and a man previously identified as a suspect in their brother’s murder.

Their concerns emerged following the release of a United States federal indictment, which accuses high-ranking officers and the man initially arrested in the case of facilitating drug trafficking operations to the US. 

Government officials confirmed that Donald Ferguson, a pilot, was arrested in the departure lounge of the domestic terminal at Lynden Pindling International Airport in connection with Mr Rolle’s death, but was released from custody pending further investigations.

To date, police have not charged anyone in connection with Mr Rolle’s murder.

Ferguson is one of 13 individuals named in the indictment as allegedly involved in the drug trafficking conspiracy.

The indictment also names Chief Superintendent of Police Elvis Curtis, the officer in charge of aviation operations, and Chief Petty Officer Darren Roker of the Defence Force, both of whom were arrested earlier this week.

Melanie Rolle-Hilton, one of Geovani’s four sisters, expressed concern that the investigation into his death might have been compromised due to the allegations in the indictment.

The family also questioned CSP Curtis’s involvement in the investigation, particularly regarding his role in a case tied to the airport.

“What makes it even more disturbing now is these alleged allegations that took place at LPIA, the very same place where our brother was brutally murdered,” Mrs Rolle-Hilton said.

“And the senior officer is in charge of the airport of aviation. To think that the law enforcement officers being entrusted to conduct this investigation are also suspects of these criminal allegations in the indictment. I mean, it’s deeply troubling.”

Mr Rolle, a Jet Nassau employee, was shot multiple times after arriving at work on June 16. He died in the ambulance on his way to Doctors Hospital, surrounded by relatives.

Mrs Rolle-Hilton said the family had not received any new updates on the police investigation and had hired private investigators to help them get answers.

She raised concerns that possible corruption within law enforcement may have influenced the investigation into Mr Rolle’s murder.

“You know, from the very beginning, from our previous interviews, we said we gave the police the benefit of the doubt, trusting that they would conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into our brother’s tragic death,” she added.

“But instead of them having conducted a diligent investigation, we faced a constant struggle being forced to push for even the most basic updates from the original investigators.”

She said the lack of answers is taking a mental toll on the family, but vowed to continue fighting until justice is served.

“We’re going to continue doing what we can to ensure that we get justice for our brother. Because, you know, my brother was a law-abiding citizen of good character and just to know that he’s not been given the basic dignities, it’s deeply troubling. We grieve.”

Police officials did not respond to requests for comment by press time yesterday.

Comments

IslandWarrior 1 week, 6 days ago

The Corruption Hole Deepens

The situation surrounding Geovani Rolle's murder, coupled with subsequent allegations of corruption among high-ranking law enforcement officers, profoundly complicates the quest for justice. The involvement of officials, particularly those arrested for their alleged roles in facilitating drug trafficking operations, points to potential conflicts of interest and casts serious doubts on the integrity of the investigation into Mr. Rolle's death.

Given the grave nature of these corruption allegations, especially concerning officials in critical roles at strategic locations like the Lynden Pindling International Airport, it's understandable why the Rolle family, and likely the broader public, would question the impartiality and effectiveness of the ongoing investigation. This case may greatly benefit from the oversight of an independent body or an external law enforcement agency to ensure that the investigation proceeds without undue influence and with transparency.

The necessity for the Rolle family to hire private investigators due to a lack of updates from the police highlights a significant mistrust in the investigative process, a sentiment echoed by many other Bahamian families in similar situations. This scenario underscores the urgent need for robust systems to ensure accountability within law enforcement agencies, not only to address this particular case but also to restore public confidence in the system's capacity to handle internal corruption and related criminal activities effectively.

The case of Geovani Rolle's murder, entwined with allegations of corruption within Bahamian law enforcement, may just represent the tip of the iceberg in terms of systemic corruption in the Bahamas. This scenario underscores the broader issues plaguing governance and public trust in the nation's institutions. As the community grapples with these challenges, it becomes increasingly clear that creating "A Better Bahamas" is a collective responsibility. The call to action, "A Better Bahamas starts with you," resonates deeply, emphasizing the role each citizen must play in rebuilding and reinforcing the foundations of a transparent, accountable, and just society.

birdiestrachan 1 week, 6 days ago

I remembered him when this foolish airport criminal matter came to light, I am very sorry for his family, he did not deserve to have his God given life taken away from him,

GodSpeed 1 week, 6 days ago

Wouldn't be surprised

TalRussell 1 week, 6 days ago

(Disclaimer): It's a Comrade in the process of summarising on and about this, that and important everythings': -- Bad timing for Florida and CID mishandlings as attempts are made to hold onto an overwhelming 2021 years governance mandate that goin' be' felt like an eternity IF can hold onto. -- Yes?

SP 1 week, 6 days ago

Anyone ignorant enough not to make the connection between the drug conspiracy and the murder probe has a serious problem with facing reality.

ThisIsOurs 1 week, 6 days ago

Who would have thought a head of CDU could be investigated for manipulating criminal cases. This town appears to have a seedy underbelly that likely most of us could never fathom.

ThisIsOurs 1 week, 6 days ago

This gentleman managers a private airline(?) The guy investigated for his murder is caught up in a scandal to smuggle cocaine on airplanes. Two degrees of separation, maybe they never meet, but it wouldnt seem ridiculous if they did.

rosiepi 1 week, 5 days ago

In any other jurisdiction/country in which any high ranking officers/officials in the government, in the police department and in the military were arrested and/or suspected of such heinous corruption would cause the judiciary to call into question EVERY investigation, and every indictment in which they were even minimally involved.

Furthermore since none of this criminal behaviour was acted upon by any senior level department heads, the US authorities kept their investigation hidden from all gov’t entities involved successfully I might add, one must assume the rot is endemic to all and at every level.

Therefore given that this implicates all government department/ministries in this conspiracy, (who is this mystery senior ranking official?) no government employee may be involved in such an inquiry and also serve the best interests of Bahamians or maintain their trust.

The UK law enforcement must become involved, no more lies this time!

mandela 1 week, 5 days ago

Only a naive person would give the police gang the benefit of anything, much less trust them. Mr. Rolle may have witnessed something and was murdered because of it. Trust the police? Yes straight to hell. It is very satisfying to know that these officers were caught in the USA and not here where their dirt is always swept under the rug.

ExposedU2C 1 week, 5 days ago

What you say here about the "police gang" applies equally to corrupt Stumpy Davis whose name is not mentioned once by the commentators above. We should never forget that 'high' smelling fish always start to rot from the head!

carltonr61 1 week, 5 days ago

Maybe this why someone is demanding Bahamasair tried true and tested legacy pilots to take a strange pilot test that they will fail knowing they have gangster pilots to replace them.

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