Boat captain could face death sentence in human-trafficking case

A BOAT captain faces a possible death penalty for his part in a human-trafficking operation involving Jamaicans, Bahamians and Haitians which ended in tragedy for a pregnant woman and another woman in critical condition.

Twenty-five year-old Tarran Maynard was indicted in West Palm Beach Federal Court last week on 28 separate counts, including encouraging and inducing aliens to enter the United States resulting in death.

Four Jamaicans have also been charged with trying to re-enter the US illegally after being deported for having felony convictions.

Following the June 14 incident, Maynard told investigators he was paid US$10,000 to ferry 11 Bahamian, Jamaican and Haitian nationals from Freeport, Bahamas to South Florida. He told federal agents the money was lost when the boat capsized off Riviera Beach.

Five other men were also indicted this week on charges related to the smuggling operation. They each face up to 20 years in prison.

Ja, Bahamas on watch list

In its annual Trafficking in Persons Report this year, the US State Department placed The Bahamas and Jamaica on its Tier 2 watch list, indicating that both countries are destinations, sources and transit points for men, women and children subjected to forced labour and sex trafficking.

The US State Department pointed out that The Bahamas did not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, but it was making significant efforts to do so.

The Trafficking in Persons 2011 report also highlighted that some Jamaican women, men and girls have been subjected to forced labour or sex trafficking in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and countries throughout the Caribbean.