Police Conduct Afternoon Raids

The raids took place in the Bain Town community on Dunmore Street, Wulff Road and East Street and on Kemp Road.

Officers of the operation explained the importance of the exercise, which they said aids in combating crime.

"Today, we are moving in two areas – the first is the southern district, which we have conducted a series of initiatives in, and then we will move to the northeastern district. Eradication of crime is a priority within the police force; this is our commitment to the Bahamian people," Assistant Superintendent Walter Evans said.

Also a part of Thursday’s operation was a team of officers checking for traffic infractions.

Superintendent Stephanie Demeritte said the surprise roadblocks have proven successful in removing illegal items from the streets.

"We are conducting routine road checks and we are looking for traffic infractions. We are looking for persons who are committing traffic offenses and reporting them. We have seen numerous persons driving with obscured windows and unregistered vehicles. We will continue in this vain until we can ensure that all our streets are safe," Superintendent Demeritte said.

Inspector Archie Miller, who is attached to the DEU, was also a part of the exercise.

"Our main objective is to move through the different areas because we realize that we have a lot of street peddlers and persons with firearms in their possession. In the past we did a number of these exercises and we were able to eradicate some drugs and firearms from the streets," Inspector Miller said.

He said persons known to police as drug pushers will be targeted during this exercise. Inspector Miller said abandoned buildings will also be checked during the police exercise.

Superintendent Charles Walkine, who headed the operation on Kemp Road, said that in the past police were successful in making arrests as a result of the street exercise.

He said they were also able to foster relations within the community, which will assist them in receiving information on crimes that were committed in the community.

"With crime on the increase, this exercise today will assist in putting some order in the country. What we are trying to do is to enforce the laws that are on our books, like the traffic laws and [drug laws]," Superintendent Walkine said.

During the duration of the exercise, reporters observed several persons being cited for traffic violations.

Members of the DEU and CDU who were heavily armed were also busy in the community stopping groups of persons and searching them for illegal substances.

A male on Wulff Road was one of the first people arrested during the operation. He was arrested after he attempted to run from police officers when they attempted to search him.

Reporters observed the man attempting to swallow something that was in his hand.

However, he was unsuccessful in this attempt and after several minutes of struggle, police were able to handcuff him.

According to Superintendent Walkine, exercises like the one conducted on Thursday will be held sporadically throughout New Providence during different times of the day.