Haiti Seizes Ton of Cocaine in Deadly Boat Raid Near Tortue Island
In a significant victory for Haitian law enforcement, police seized more than a ton of cocaine during a daring maritime raid near Tortue Island off northern Haiti. The operation ended in a deadly shootout, leaving three suspected drug traffickers dead and a fourth in custody.
The bust, announced Tuesday, marks one of the country’s largest drug seizures in recent memory and underscores the Caribbean nation’s ongoing struggle with powerful trafficking networks.
Raid Unfolds Amid Gunfire
Port-de-Paix prosecutor Jeir Pierre shared details of the dramatic encounter. On Sunday, Haitian police approached a boat suspected of transporting drugs in waters near Tortue Island—a known hotspot for traffickers moving narcotics through the region.
Officers ordered the suspects to surrender, but the traffickers instead opened fire, sparking a gun battle on the high seas. Two suspects reportedly leapt into the ocean but later died, while a third was killed onshore.
A fourth man, identified as a Bahamian national, was wounded and arrested. Police also confirmed that one of the deceased suspects was a Jamaican citizen.
“We have had this area in our sights for a long time,” Pierre said. “But until now, a lack of resources had delayed any action.”
Fortunately, no Haitian police officers were injured during the operation.
Massive Drug Haul
Authorities confiscated more than 2,300 pounds (over 1,000 kilograms) of cocaine from the vessel. The size of the haul highlights how Haiti has become a transit point for drug traffickers moving narcotics to markets in the United States and beyond.
The seizure is rare for Haiti, which has struggled with limited law enforcement resources amid political instability, gang violence, and a humanitarian crisis.
Deep Roots of Drug Trafficking in Haiti
Haiti’s drug trade has long been linked to powerful figures in business and politics. The U.S. government has repeatedly flagged the nation as a vulnerable corridor for narcotics shipments, exacerbated by porous borders and weak institutions.
In August 2024, the U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned former Haitian President Michel Martelly, accusing him of using his influence to facilitate drug trafficking, including cocaine bound for the United States.
“Many of Haiti’s political and business elites have long been involved in drug trafficking and have been linked to the gangs responsible for the violence that has destabilized Haiti,” the U.S. Treasury said at the time.
Such allegations have fueled suspicions that high-level corruption protects criminal networks operating in the country.
An Ongoing Battle
Sunday’s operation reflects renewed efforts by Haitian authorities to push back against drug traffickers. Prosecutor Pierre credited recent improvements in police resources, including access to a patrol boat, for making the raid possible.
Despite this success, security experts caution that significant challenges remain. The country continues to grapple with widespread gang violence, economic instability, and government dysfunction—conditions traffickers exploit to run illicit operations with relative ease.
Still, Pierre expressed determination to keep pursuing traffickers.
“This is just the beginning,” he said. “We will keep fighting to protect our country from the scourge of drugs.”
As investigations continue, authorities hope to trace the seized shipment’s origin and intended destination. The U.S. is expected to collaborate with Haitian officials to track connections between local traffickers and international cartels.
The operation near Tortue Island offers a rare glimpse of law enforcement’s capacity to strike a blow against organized crime in Haiti—a fragile nation where drug trafficking remains deeply intertwined with broader political and social crises.
