Bahamas seeks US help to stem drug 'invasion'

October 1, 1980

Bahamas Prime Minister Lynden O. Pindling has called on the United States to help his island nation combat an "invasion" of drug smugglers financed and controlled by "American criminals." He also said illegal arms have been introduced into the country by the drug criminals at an alarming rate. Mr. Pindling said drug traffickers are using the Caribbean and the Bahamas as a conduit to the American market through south Florida, and called on the US to provide some $25 million worth of boats, reconnaissance planes, helicopters, and sophisticated communications systems.