COULD FIND OF GUNS AT LOUIS BACONS HOME IN LYFORD CAY BE CAUSE FOR GOVERNMENT STRINGENT MEASURES ON SMUGGLING OF GUNS IN THE BAHAMAS: 

With the High proliferation of crime and violence and deaths mainly with the use of various high powered guns in the Bahamas, the new Progressive liberal Party (PLP) administration is implementing a series of stringent measures to rid the streets from these high-powered guns that are finding their way in the hands of the country’s youths.

Louis Bacon

To help curb this great and dangerous threat in the proliferation of guns that are being used killing the young Bahamian men week after week , the new Perry Christie PLP administration just having been sworn into power after winning the general elections on May 7th, has hit the ground running on crime by having its new Minister of National Security Dr. Hon. Bernard Nottage putting more stringent security measures on the PORT OF ENTRIES for ALL MARINAS in the Bahamas no matter how small the vessel may be.  These marinas, says Minister Nottage, are believed to be the main cause of the SMUGGLING OF GUNS into the Bahamas in great numbers at the highest caliber in weaponry.

Such a concern against the smuggling of guns in the Bahamas arose about four years ago when the police made a surprise visit the Point House home and property of Louis Bacon in Lyford Cay.  The surprise search of Bacon’s home was to investigate whether Bacon had and was using some illegal ULTRA SONIC MILITARY SPEAKERS  on one of his neighbours.  The search proved to be true where the police found and confiscated some six of the military speakers that are used by the police for the control of large crowds.  

Police raid underway at Bacon's home

Surprisingly, in the search the police also found nearly twenty (20) guns, though licensed, that were allegedly not properly concealed, enabling any one of Bacon’s staff to use them.  When members of the press had asked Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade about the large number of guns found at Louis Bacons home in Lyford Cay, Mr. Greenslade them that such a find greatly concerned him and that he would be looking into sush a matter  He added that he sought to possibly have the laws changed to enforce a limit on the number of guns that anyone, especially foreign residents, could have in their home or possession.  

Bacon's military- grade speakers camouflaged 

Brent Symonette

When this word got out the then Minister of National Security Hon. Tommy Turnquest of the previous Hubert Ingraham Free National Movement (FNM) Administration caused for such a thought by the police commissioner to cease.

Such a find of a large number of guns also pricked the interest of the of then FNM Minister of Immigration and Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Brent Symonette because of the high number of guns finding its way on the Bahamian streets that were being used by gangs and others in senseless killings.   They knew that the  foreign resident Louis Bacon was not taking the necessary precautions by ensuring that the large number of guns on his property were safe, especially from the use of his staff members who were not licensed to use any of the guns.  

What was more of a concern to the Immigration Minister and the commissioner of police was the knowledge that Bacon had illegally dredged a secret marina leading into Bacons Point House home where it was also alleged that guns were being smuggled into the country.  It is alleged that Bacons former property manager Dan Tuckfield, who was found dead at Bacons home in a death said to be suspicious by the authorities, was perhaps the leader in the smuggling of guns and other alleged illegal acts on the property of Louis Bacon.

All of this caused for great concern and suspicion by members of the previous administration and the police and more so now under the present PLP administration. 

The new Minister, Dr. Nottage has called for a serious clampdown on the marinas as one of his first major concerns in attacking the country’s serious crime problem that is marred with unwarranted murders.  He wants all major and small ports and marinas to be closely monitored to ensure that they are no longer being used as a conduit in the smuggling of guns into the Bahamas.  

This concern and call of aggression on the smuggling of guns into the Bahamas has caused for the Police, Customs and Department of immigration to now take a close look at all of the small marinas, especially those in Lyford Cay and at Kamalame Cay on the island of Andros and the Exuma Cays where the Aga Khan and other rich and famous and special interest groups with marinas reside.

Members of the public have high hopes for the new Perry Christie led administration and already is giving high marks for the quick move that the Minister of National Security Dr. Hon. Bernard Nottage is taking in seeking out all of the ports and marinas in the Bahamas with the hope of putting a big dent in the scourge in the smuggling of GUNS, DRUGS and HUMAN CARGO.