Carina Reyes-Labra, 36, and Denia Mercedes Abreu-Martinez, 30, alias Anet Savia Gainza, were recaptured on Friday, after spending almost a month on the run.
They escaped from the Carmichael Road Detention Centre on May 25.
According to a news release from the Department of Immigration, the United States Coast Guard interdicted a “smuggling operation” in the Northern Bahamas that led to the arrest of the women.
Immigration officials said the recapture was made possible through the efforts of the Joint Anti Smuggling Unit (JASU).
“Ms Reyes-Labra and Abreu-Martinez will be brought to Nassau to assist in the ongoing investigation of their escape from the Detention Centre,” the release continued. Reportedly, the women cut through three security fences, before making good their escape. Defence Force guards noticed they were missing during a routine shift change.
The escape occurred less than two months after three male Cuban detainees, Jose Alvarez Garcia, 38; Victor Brito Senea, 35; and Lazaro Acosta Ortiz, 33, used the same method to gain their freedom. They were living in a dormitory with 100 other detainees.
Friday’s capture is a part of an ongoing effort to minimise the country’s illegal migration problem, officials said, noting that, “The Department of Immigration continues to be relentless in its resolve to apprehend the illegal migrants in our midst; and to prosecute those who are in contravention of the Immigration Act and Regulations.”
Earlier this year, newly-appointed Immigration Minister Shane Gibson warned that illegal immigrants who failed to leave The Bahamas voluntarily after a period would be captured and repatriated.
Minister Gibson yesterday confirmed in a brief interview that although recaptured, the two women were not yet physically in the Department’s possession, but, “The Coast Guard should have them to us between today and Monday.”
Also arrested on Friday was a man believed to be the captain of the vessel on which the women were allegedly travelling.
Up to press time yesterday, the nationality of the person was unknown.
“We would of course, as soon as we get them back in our custody, we will be talking to them to try to get all the details of what happened in terms of the break-out from the Detention Centre,” Mr Gibson said.
“We are not sure exactly where they were housed. We had gotten some information before, and we were having it investigated but we don’t have the details of all that right now. It will be more helpful to us once we have them back in our custody.”
According to available statistics, during the week ending June 24, 114 migrants were returned from Nassau to Port-au-Prince, Haiti and 23 from Mathew Town, Inagua. Arrangements are being made for the early deportation to Haiti of an additional 31 undocumented persons apprehended in Grand Bahama and 36 in New Providence.
By: JASMIN BONIMY and KEVA LIGHTBOURNE, The Nassau Guardian
