The Bahamas Department of Immigration has terminated Trainee Immigration Officer Alex K Riley following the circulation of compromising voice recordings that allegedly capture solicitation of bribes. Director of Immigration Stephen Laroda issued an immediate dismissal notice dated January 16, severing all employment ties with the officer.
The disciplinary action follows the emergence of viral audio content featuring an unidentified male voice making explicit demands for monetary compensation. While authorities haven’t officially confirmed the voice belongs to an immigration officer, the recordings contain specific threats regarding intensified enforcement activities against Haitian nationals if financial demands remain unmet.
In the controversial recordings, the voice states: ‘Now you going down to 150. Alex, by tomorrow let that whole 500 be there. I saved your life. Don’t make it hard for Haitians around there.’ The speaker further implies protection from immigration raids while warning that non-compliance would trigger increased enforcement presence.
An immigration representative confirmed to The Tribune that the dismissal resulted from an investigation, though the exact nature of the probe—whether internal or involving law enforcement—remains unclear. This incident occurs amid heightened scrutiny of alleged misconduct within Bahamian law enforcement agencies, following a separate investigation into police officers allegedly soliciting bribes from tourists during traffic stops.