Eight Americans were arrested in the Caribbean on Tuesday, after authorities found ‘high-powered weapons’ and a ‘considerable’ amount of cash on their boat.
The Royal Bahamas Police Force announced on Wednesday that the unidentified Americans, along with one person from South Africa and another from Guyana, were taken into custody on Tuesday in Bimini – a small group of islands about 50 miles east of Miami, Florida.
Those who were arrested range in age from 21 to 62, police noted.
Their arrest came after officers from the Alice Town Police Station and the Bahamas Customs Department searched a boat docked at a port ‘acting on intelligence’ shortly after 11.30am.
On the boat, the officers said they found three unspecified ‘high-powered weapons,’ 11 firearms, a ‘substantial’ amount of ammunition and a ‘considerable’ amount of undeclared cash, all of which were seized.
‘The Royal Bahamas Police Force extends its appreciation tot he Bahamas Customs Department and all involved officers from the Bimini Division for their dedication and collaborative effort in this successful operation,’ the police department said in a statement.
It added that the investigation is ongoing.
The Royal Bahamas Police Force (pictured) announced on Wednesday that eight Americans have been arrested
The Americans were taken into custody in Bimini (pictured), which is about 50 miles east of Miami, Florida
In the meantime, it remains unclear what the Americans have been charged with and what kind of penalties they may face in the Bahamas.
But the United States Embassy in the Bahamas has warned travelers entering the country with more than $10,000 – or the equivalent amount of cash in foreign cash – must report it to the authorities.
The embassy has also said that Bahamian customs officials strictly enforce regulations regarding the importation of firearms.
‘Officials have arrested and sentenced penalties to US citizens entering the country with firearms or ammunition,’ the embassy notes on its website.
The Daily Mail has reached out to the Royal Bahamas Police Force for more information.
