Bahamian man arrested for $1.2 million smuggling attempt

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – A Bahamian man was arrested Wednesday for allegedly attempting to smuggle approximately $1.2 million to the Bahamas. The charge results from an investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Border Patrol, CBP Office of Air and Marine Operations, CBP Office of Field Operations, Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office and the Tequesta Police Department.

According to court documents, Rohan Spicer, 31, traveled from the Bahamas to the United States by boat, arriving Monday. HSI agents observed Spicer transfer items from the rear of his sport utility vehicle onto the boat Wednesday. Spicer completed a CBP Vessel Entrance or Clearance Statement in which he declared that he was transporting household goods and speakers. Subsequently, Spicer's boat was interdicted and boarded approximately six nautical miles east of the Palm Beach Inlet, at which time Spicer advised the officers that he was enroute to Freeport, Grand Bahamas, and that he was in possession of approximately $20,000.00 in U.S. currency that he had failed to declare one hour earlier at the Port of Palm Beach.

A Customs border search of the vessel and cargo led to the discovery and seizure of approximately $1.2 million in cash, packaged in $50,000 bundles of various dominations. The cash was hidden within merchandise, stereo speakers and luggage discovered aboard the vessel.

A bond hearing has been scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Monday before U.S. Magistrate Judge William Matthewman.