Category Archives: Bahamas

June 01, 2017 17:40 ET | Source: Bahamas Ministry of Tourism

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Plantation, Florida, June 01, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Once again, The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism is offering boating enthusiasts the adventure of a lifetime. A convoy of boats, under the leadership of seasoned mariners, will depart Fort Lauderdale, Florida on June 8, 2017 to kick off the highly anticipated Bahamas Boating Flings.

These Boating Flings will begin in June and occur each weekend concurrently throughout the month of July and climax on July 27-30, 2017. Boaters will journey across the Gulf Stream and passage through translucent blue waters to behold the beauty that is The Islands of The Bahamas.

Certainly these adventures do not ensue unaccompanied by some education of how boating has helped to shape the identity of these islands. Each trip is lead by an au courant captain who gleefully shares such information.

Senior Manager, sales and marketing-Bahamas Tourist Office and host captain, Richard Treco has been leading the passage for more than 30 years. I like to give these folks a glimpse of the islands through my eyes. Im their captain and their guide. We have to make sure they have the most authentic experience we can provide, says Treco.

Bahamian Boating Flings have been successful for over 20 years and this year will be no exception. The Islands of The Bahamas have boasted an average of about 10-20 boats per fling, maxing out at times with more than 30 boats.

This summers schedule includes the following dates:

June 8 -11, Grand Bahama Island (Grand Lucayan)

June 15-18, Bimini (Bimini Big Game Club)

June 22-25, Bimini (Bimini Big Game Club)

July 6-16, Extended Fling (Eleuthera)

July 20-23, Bimini (Bimini Big Game Club)

July 27-30, Bimini (Bimini Big Game Club)

Registration has already begun and participants are encouraged to register now as spots are reserved on a first-come, first-serve basis. For more details on registration fees, and other information, please visit http://www.Bahamas.com.

It is recommended that interested persons attend a Captains Meeting at the Bahia Mar Hotel in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Meetings are held on the Wednesday prior to each Fling and begin promptly at 6:30 pm.

What could be more captivating than this kind of opportunity to explore the islands in such an exceptional way? The open ocean, some experienced captains coupled with more curious novices, a few boats of course mixed in with some Bahamian sun, sand and sea make for the ultimate ocean road trip.

About The Bahamas

The Islands Of The Bahamas have a place in the sun for everyone. Each island has its own personality and attractions for a variety of vacation styles with some of the worlds best golfing, scuba diving, fishing, sailing, boating, as well as, shopping and dining. The destination offers an easily accessible tropical getaway and provides convenience for travelers with preclearance through U.S. customs and immigration, and the Bahamian dollar is on par with the U.S. dollar. Do everything or do nothing, just remember Its Better in The Bahamas. For travel packages, activities and accommodations information, call 1-800-Bahamas or visit http://www.Bahamas.com. Look for The Bahamas on the web on Facebook Twitter and YouTube

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A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/38bee98e-4e40-4891-9b64-fdfc34473479

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The Bahamas' Ultimate Ocean Road Trip - GlobeNewswire - GlobeNewswire (press release)

by Anirban Nag

India's debt level is "significantly" higher compared with similarly rated countries, Moodys Investor Service said, firing a fresh salvo at Prime Minister Narendra Modis government, which has been trying hard to earn a sovereign upgrade.

Rating agencies have India just above junk status and while Modis government has consistently pushed for a sovereign upgrade in the past few years, Moodys, Standard & Poors and Fitch Ratings have all pushed back, citing high debt levels. On Thursday, Moodys said that while the general government debt level declined to 67.5 percent of gross domestic product in 2016 from 84.7 percent in 2003, it remains a key credit constraint.

Moodys notes that Indias debt burden is higher than most of its Baa peers including the Bahamas and South Africa. Baa is medium-grade credit risk which may have speculative characteristics, according to Moodys. Moodys India rating is at Baa3, the lowest on that rung.

"We view ongoing central government deficit reduction as supportive of Indias credit profile, Moodys said in a note. However, the recent widening of Indian state deficits has more than offset the narrowing of the central government deficit."

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in his February budget speech reiterated New Delhis commitment to fiscal consolidation, pegging the central government fiscal deficit targets at 3.2 percent of GDP for fiscal 2017-18 and 3 percent for 2018-19, down from 3.5 percent in 2016-17.

Moodys said a new medium-term fiscal framework would help guide the fiscal consolidation process, if adhered to. The new framework, which has been recently proposed, aims to bring down the federal government fiscal-deficit target to 2.5 percent by 2023 while reducing the debt-to-GDP ratio to 60 percent by 2023.

Moodys was upbeat about Indias move to adopt a unified tax code for goods and services, scheduled to be implemented on July 1.

"Over the medium term, goods and services tax will contribute to productivity gains and higher GDP growth by improving ease of doing business, unifying markets and will enhance Indias attractiveness as a foreign investment destination. GST will also support higher government revenue generation through improved tax compliance and administration," it said.

Nevertheless, the high levels of bad loans in the banking system were a key risk to growth, Moodys said, adding India would need to resolve it to kickstart the investment cycle.

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India's debt remains `significantly' high, higher than Bahamas and South Africa, says Moody's - Economic Times

A FEARLESS Instagram star got the shock of her life when she was attacked during a photoshoot.

MISS EVERYWHERE/INSTAGRAM

The life of a travel blogger might seem like the dream, but Mareen aka Miss Everywhere, has proven its not all cocktails and infinity pools.

Her Miss Everywhere account is followed by more than 350,000 people and includes a collection of stunning travel snaps.

From swimming with pigs in the Bahamas to eating pool-side brunches in Sri Lanka, its clear to see life is good for the German beauty.

But her latest photoshoot ended with a bit of a fright for the curvy blonde.

MISS EVERYWHERE/INSTAGRAM

Mareen decided to pose with a frenzy of sharks in the crystal-clear waters of Compass Cay an idilic island in the Bahamas.

The breathtaking photo shows the Instagram star floating in a skimpy pink bikini, surrounded by the predators.

But the shoot ended in horror as one of the sharks bit the model, leaving a scar on her hand.

We all love curvy girls in, so here are our top faves.

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On her blog, Mareen said: My highlight on that day besides the pigs was swimming with sharks in compass cay which was very fun until one got a little hungry and decided to bit me 🙂 I can not tell you the second of shock I felt when i saw this shark opening his mouth grabbing my hand.

People always tell you when a shark attacks you you should stay calm. let me tell you in reality when it happens there is nothing like staying calm you completely freak out."

MISS EVERYWHERE/INSTAGRAM

She continued: Some of you will remember my pic floating with them just shortly before one bit my finger as he misplaced my hand with food.

My hand is okay again and has a scar now in shark teeth shape that will forever remind me of that beautiful day in the Exumas.

Its an amazing experience to swim with them and quite an adrenalin boost but consider even though they are usually calm they are still wild animals.

Still feeling the effects of the Christmas bulge? Take a look at the hottest babes on Instagram to motivate you to put down the chocolate bar and pick up your running trainers.

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Jen Selter poses for the camera next to a pool whilst on holiday

If this hasnt put you off, here are five other amazing places you can swim with sharks:

1. GREAT WHITES, GANSBAAI, SOUTH AFRICA

Known as the Great White capital of the World, this trip is not for the faint-hearted.

Gansbaii is a premier cage diving location that promises to offer a truly thrilling experience for tourists.

2. HAMMERHEADS, GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

The Galpagos Islands, is a province of Ecuador lying about 1,000km off the coast in the Pacific Ocean.

Its isolated terrain shelters a diversity of plant and animal species many found nowhere else.

It is also one of the best places in the world to see Hammerhead sharks.

3. TIGER SHARKS, TIGER BEACH, BAHAMAS

This beach aptly named Tiger Beach is right off Grand Bahama and is one of the best places in the world to see the razor-toothed fish.

4. WHALE SHARKS, ISLA HOLBOX, MEXICO

The whale shark is the biggest fish in the sea, with the largest one measuring in at a length of 12.65 m and a weight of about 21.5 metric tons.

But unlike their scarier cousins, Whale Sharks dont have teeth meaning you can snorkel with them cage-free.

Isla Holbox is one of the best places in the world to see the sharks.

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5. NO CAGE DIVING, OSPREY REEF, AUSTRALIA

For experienced divers ready for an upgrade to a cage-free adventure, there is a thrilling seven-day live-aboard dive exploring the islands of the Coral Sea, outer Great Barrier Reef and Osprey Reef.

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Model's sexy bikini shoot in the Bahamas goes horribly wring after THIS happens - Daily Star

Dan Marino and Miami Dolphins Alumni held their annual trip to Nassau, Bahamas and gives back to the Bahamian community.

NASSAU, Bahamas Pro Football Hall of Fame Quarterback Dan Marino and Dolphins Alumni held their annual trip to Nassau on Memorial Day Weekend for the Dan Marino and Friends Bahamas Weekend 2017.

Throughout the weekend, guests mixed and mingled with notable Dolphins alumni, including Marino, Dick Anderson, Ronnie Brown, Mark Clayton, Mark Duper, Oronde Gadsden, Jim Jensen, OJ McDuffie, Terry Kirby, Sam Madison, Nat Moore, Joe Rose, Pat Surtain, Jason Taylor and Shawn Wooden.

Its always better in the Bahamas, Marino said. I look forward to this weekend each year, getting together with my former teammates and really enjoying the great hospitality of the Bahamian people while giving back.

The weekend kicked off with a welcome reception and golf draw party on Thursday evening. On Friday, the alumni and guests participating in a golf classic at Ocean Club. Each golf foursome included the exclusive opportunity to play with a Miami Dolphins Legend or celebrity. The golf classic on Friday wrapped with an awards luncheon and a Bahamas Bash party.

The weekend concluded on Saturday with a free fan fest at Thomas A. Robinson Stadium. The day was packed with great festivities for families, including Youth Football & Cheer Clinics for kids ages 6-17 teaching boys and girls the fundamentals of the game from Dolphins alumni or learning dance moves and chants.

Sam Madison at youth clinic in The Bahamas Photo Credit: Miami Dolphins

The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism is grateful to Dan Marino and the Dolphins Legends for their continued support of the Islands of The Bahamas, and, in particular, their commitment to our youth, The Islands of The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism Director of Sports Virginia Kelly said. We know that the technical football and cheerleader training and invaluable lifelong lessons the alumni shared with our youth will resonate in their hearts and minds for years to come.

The day culminated with competitive flag football games between Nassau, Freeport Grand Bahama, Abaco, Exuma and a Dolphins Legends vs. Bahamas Legends Flag Football Game.

Dolphins Legends with Bahamian Legends at Dan Marino and Friends Bahamas Weekend 2017. Photo Credit: Miami Dolphins

Proceeds from the Dan Marino and Friends Bahamas Weekend for the first time benefit the Bahamas Resource and Education for Autism and Related Challenges (R.E.A.C.H.), a non-profit organization that aims to provide parents with comprehensive knowledge and tools in all areas of this neurobiological disorder. Proceeds also benefit the Miami Dolphins Alumni Player Assistance Fund, which provides financial support to assist former players in need.

Dolphins Legends, Dan Marino, Jason Taylor and Nat Moore with members of The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and REACH Chair Dwayne Gibson.

REACH is really happy to receive this donation. We try and help a lot of kids along the spectrum in the Bahamas. Were hoping that the funds will go a long way, REACH Chair Dwayne Gibson said.

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Dan Marino and Friends Host Successful Bahamas Weekend 2017 - South Florida Caribbean News

Business News Live Business By Chris Cooke | Published on Friday 26 May 2017

As the lawsuits continue to mount in the US in relation to the failed Fyre Festival, back in the Bahamas where the luxury event was meant to take place increased pressure is being put on the Ministry Of Tourism for its involvement in bringing the Ja Rule-backed venture to the island of Great Exuma.

As previously reported, Bahamas-based newspaper The Tribune recently interviewed some of the local businesses who were left out of pocket when the Fyre Festival collapsed just as it was due to kick off at the end of April.

Now the Chief Councillor of Exuma, Brian Strachan, has insisted that, while his body did give the necessary permission for the Fyre Festival to go ahead, it was the Bahamas Ministry Of Tourism which led on all the dealings and conversations with the events management team, including the other co-founder Billy McFarland.

Strachan told the Tribune: We had nothing to do with this event. We made sure we kept our distance, because it wasnt for us to take charge, but somebody has to now. Tourism took the wheel, so they [should lead] now [on dealing with the fall out].

The Councillor added that, when the required paperwork was provided to the island authorities by the Fyre Festival team, their main concern was the dates, because the start of the festival clashed with the end of the islands George Town Regatta.

Strachan reckons that Fyre clashing with that event, which already stretches local resources, could have added to the festivals problems. Though even without the clash it seems unlikely the Fyre Festival site would have met the expectations of ticketholders who had been sold such a luxury experience.

The Bahamas Ministry Of Tourism was quick to put out statements criticising the Fyre Festival as it collapsed over the last weekend in April, seemingly concerned that media reporting and social media chatter about the disastrous event was damaging the Bahamas brand. Though the government agency has yet to respond to more recent local criticism of its involvement in bringing Ja Rule and McFarlands ambitious party to its shores.

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Councillor on Fyre Festival island criticises Bahamas tourism agency - Complete Music Update

The American flags in Ron Deans shop may get some extra attention from customers on Memorial Day, but theyll mean even more to Dean a few weeks later. June 20 will mark 17 years since Dean came to the U.S.

The Bahamas native has spent the last three of those years building up his downtown Montgomery general store, the Knicker Knacker Market. Everything has been going back into the business, he said. Hes used his revenue to add grocery supplies and a lot more. Theres a Dippin Dots station near the door, a cooler with meat and new services - hes just started offering bill pay.

It was already an eclectic mix. Shelves are stocked with everything from shoes, to hamster food, to Montgomery memorabilia. Dean said he doesnt specialize because I dont want to put the customers in a box.

He speaks quickly and points around the 163 Lee St. store as he talks about whats coming next. A hot dog machine will be over there. More grocery supplies are on the way in another part of the store.

Eventually he plans add Bahamian merchandise. But for now hes gearing up to celebrate his June anniversary in a very American way with a store-wide sale.

Bahamas native Ron Dean owns the Knicker Knacker Market in downtown Montgomery.(Photo: Brad Harper / Advertiser)

Read or Share this story: http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/story/money/business/retailroundup/2017/05/26/bahamas-native-stocks-up-u-s-pride-montgomery-store/336877001/

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Bahamas native stocks up on US pride at Montgomery store - Montgomery Advertiser

A Perth couple have shared the story of their past two years 'living the dream' aboard a boat in the Bahamas, shark-spotting as a way of raising awareness for conservation.

Laura and Andy Corbe's life aboard a sailing boat, home-schooling their two daughters, is something Ms Corbe said she had worked towards for much of her life.

Ms Corbe's daughters get an underwater education as well. Photo: Instagram/@lauracorbe

Growing up as a surfer and ocean lover in Scotland, she studied zoology at university before moving toAustralia where she met her husband.

"[It was there] I really started to look at life under the water," she said.

"Our first trip toNingalooblew my mind."

Before long she was back at university to take a Master's in marine resource management, but it proved a difficult field to find work in, especially for a woman with young children.

The couple started a business that kept them flat out for the next five years but they were never too busy to keep planning their dream to take a few years out of the rat race and "live aboard".

In 2014, they sold their business and prepared to buy the boat when the previous government announced its controversial shark drum line trial.

"By chance we witnessed one of the first undersized tiger sharks being caught," MsCorbesaid.

"It was one of those glorious summer days when the sea-breeze holds off, making for a perfect day on the ocean. We'd taken the dinghy out for a quick spin and happened across some sea-lions that wanted to play and afterwards were mobbed by a pod of dolphins."

It was then they saw the capture of the firstshark.

"Such a stark contrast to the dreamy day we'd just had, it was truly sickening," Ms Corbe said.

"You might say at that point we were jettisoned into the world of activism."

They delayed their dream, bought a bigger boat and spent the next three months following, filming and photographing the drum line trial.

"All the things the government didn't want the public to see," Ms Corbe said.

"Sharks that had been attracted to the beach by bait, then bitten by even larger sharks while they were struggling caught on hooks, sharks that were released beside surf life saving clubs trailing plumes of blood from holes right through their head, and others that were supposedly released alive but that sunk straight to the seabed once they were in the water."

It was then they met other high-profile conservationists including TV's 'Shark Man' Riley Elliott and documentary filmmaker Mike Bhana, both from New Zealand, underwater photographer Juan Oliphant and business partner Ocean Ramsey,Hawaii-based freedivers dubbed the 'shark whisperers' after global media coverage of the jaw-dropping videos Mr Oliphant has made of Ms Ramsey interacting with great whites.

All had flown to WA for the massive protests, with Mr Corbe, Ms Ramsey and Mr Elliott taking part in a high-profile resuscitation of a bleeding tiger shark in the water.

"These guys are the salt of the earth and so knowledgeable about sharks, their biology, behaviour and conservation that before long it felt like we'd taken a crash course ourselves," Ms Corbe said.

It was only after the Environmental Protection Authority vetoed the continuation of the trial the Corbes left WA for the Bahamas, stopping en route to visit Ms Ramsey and Mr Oliphant at their Hawaii-based shark diving, conservation and research centre One Ocean, where their daughters also "fell in love with sharks".

Ms Corbe said life on board since had been everything they had hoped; but not as lazy as one might expect.

"There wasn't really an adjustment period for us like some families go though, I guess we'd been talking about it for years and we fell in love with life on the water," she said.

"We still never seem to have quite enough hours in the day.

"Home school takes up a huge amount of time, and there's always something to fix on a boat."

She said logistics, such as provisioning or refilling gas cylinders, often took up an entire day and that was besides the "whole lot of paradise to explore".

"Each day we go to bed tired but very happy," she said.

"More than two years on it's still one of the best decisions we ever made."

Ms Ramsey and Mr Oliphant recently joined the Corbes shark-spotting in the Bahamas on a "holiday" they spent taking film and photos in support of a campaignto create Australia's largest shark sanctuary, waged by ecotourism operators from WA's Shark Bay.

"I'm not sure the word 'holiday' fits into their vocabulary," Ms Corbe said.

"We had a hit list of sharks we wanted to film, with oceanic whitetip and greater hammerhead sharks taking the two top spots.

"We were incredibly lucky to check everything off."

She said people were always surprised by the calm feel of their photography and video, but while being alert was important around sharks, the calmer the swimmer the calmer the shark.

The best way to illustrate was to teach people to get into the water - or sometimes out of the water.

"That's happened to me only once so far," she said.

Ms Corbe and Ms Ramsey admiring local sharks that "seemed happy to hang around even with a dropping tide". Photo: Instagram @juansharks

"After two-and-a-half hours diving with a huge tiger she decided it was time we left her alone. She asked, in her polite, jaw snapping, sharky kinda way, and I didn't wait for her to repeat the request."

Ms Ramsey said the WA couple were among the most dedicated conservationists she had met.

"Working every day before sunrise without sleep in rough cold weather, watching the animals you love being killed," Ms Ramsey said.

"Now they sail from island to island and it's a great reminder that sharing your voice for marine life and the ocean everywhere you go is so important."

Nearly 300,000 Ocean Ramsey followers on Instagram alone have now seen the Shark Bay campaign signage.

Meanwhile, the Corbe family plans to eventually head to the Pacific Ocean and home to Australia but is in no hurry, and they are not the only ocean lovers promoting the Shark Ark campaign.

WA mermaid stunt artists Hannah Moy, Jessica Bell and Amelia X are all 'Shark Ark Ambassadors', promoting the cause at the recent Asia DiveEXPO.

There, they recruited oceanographer and National Geographic Society Explorer-in-Residence Dr. Sylvia A. Earle, called "Her Deepness" by the New Yorker and the New York Times, "Living Legend" by the Library of Congress, and first "Hero for the Planet" by Time magazine.

Campaign instigator Leon Deschamps is pushing for an audience with Fisheries minister Dave Kelly to discuss shark conservation and the possibility of prevention 'trophy hunting' of sharks in WA waters.

While the Nationals' election commitment of $200,000 to build a shark museum in Shark Bay or Denham is no more after the change in government, local MP Vince Catania told WAtoday he hoped the new government would show support.

"There is a fascination with sharks in the community," he said.

"It would also bring tourism into Shark Bay the perfect place, given its name and shark population, and it would be a huge boost to the local economy, which relies on the tourism industry."

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WA shark spotters share stories of 'life aboard' in Bahamas - WA Today - WAtoday

A Guyanese woman who was caught in The Bahamas with cocaine in a wig was jailed for 28 months yesterday. The Bahama Journal said today that a weeping Linda Latoya Reynolds, 22, threw herself at the mercy of the court before being convicted on drug charges yesterday. The young mother was arraigned yesterday before Magistrate Andrew Forbes on one count of possession of drugs with intent to supply and another count of importation of dangerous drugs. The charges stem from an incident on May 23 when Reynolds was searched at the Lynden Pindling International Airport, the Bahama Journal said. During the search, officers discovered two pounds and 15 ounces of cocaine, packaged and taped under a stocking cap that was placed under a long wig on Reynolds head. Reynolds was subsequently arrested. She pleaded guilty to the charges, but begged Magistrate Forbes to consider the fact that she is the mother of a four-year-old she left at home in Suriname with a friend. According to the report, her attorney Jairam Mangra asked the court to consider that his client was remorseful and had no previous convictions in this jurisdiction. He noted that she was used simply as a trafficking mule. Magistrate Forbes said he took all points into consideration, but that the mitigating factor was that the accused indulged in illegal activity. Reynolds was sentenced to 28 months at the Bahamas Department of Corrections and on the second count she was given 18 months. The sentences will run concurrently, the Bahama Journal said.

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Woman held in Bahamas with cocaine in wig jailed for 28 months ... - Stabroek News

A director of a Long Island public company has resigned after his election to the Bahamas Parliament and his appointment as minister of tourism and aviation.

Dionisio DAguilar, chief executive of Superwash, a chain of self-service laundries in the Bahamas, resigned Tuesday from the board of Millennium Investment & Acquisition Co. Inc., based in Old Bethpage, the Long Island company said in a government filing.

DAguilar joins the Cabinet of Hubert Minnis, who was sworn in earlier this month as the new prime minister of the former British colony. DAguilars ministry oversees the national flag carrier airline, Bahamasair.

DAguilar did not respond to a request for comment made through his office.

Millennium Investment is a publicly traded blank check company formed in 2006 to do mergers, acquisitions, exchanges of stock or other transactions with operating companies.

Its original plan was to identify companies in India suitable for such transactions, according to Securities and Exchange Commission documents.

In a March letter to shareholders, Millennium Chief Executive David H. Lesser said the company was pursuing a new strategy to broaden its investments. As part of Millenniums revised strategy, it acquired an activated carbon biomass plant in Kawaihae, Hawaii, for $1.3 million in June 2015.

Activated carbon has a variety of uses, including metal extraction, and gas and water purification. But the company said the plants special form of activated charcoal derived from a waste stream of macadamia nut shells can be used to manufacture capacitors that are an alternative to traditional batteries for electricity storage.

Millennium also has an investment in SMC Global, a financial services company based in New Delhi.

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LI corporate director elected to Bahamas Parliament - Newsday

Demerara Waves

Guyanese woman caught with cocaine in her hair weave at Bahamas airport Demerara Waves Shortly after 3pm, the Bahamas Tribune242 reported a team of officers assigned to the DEU conducted a search of a Guyanese female passenger, who had just arrived on a Caribbean Airlines flight from Suriname, at the Bahamas Customs arrival area at ... and more »

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Guyanese woman caught with cocaine in her hair weave at Bahamas airport - Demerara Waves