Police told reporters after the raids that they seized a few pounds of cocaine, cartons of ammunition, and other evidence they believe might be related to organized crime on the island.
Six of the 24 suspects were charged with firearm-related crimes, while about a dozen were charged with possession, distribution, and other drug related charges. A few others were detained and questioned, but are awaiting charges, according to local media.
Bimini, 92 kilometers (57 miles) east of Miami, has gathered significant attention for two murders in the past two months, an extremely rare occurrence for the Carribean paradise of about 2,000 people.
“Had it not perhaps been for those two homicides earlier this year, a lot of this attention may not have been on Bimini,” Assistant Police Commissioner Samuel Butler told local media. “We took this action to maintain a level of calm and ensure a safe community in Bimini.”
In 2016 - the last year with available regional crime statistics - there were only four murders in all of the 700 minor islands of the Bahamas combined, though most of the islands are uninhabited.
“I want to be careful against branding the law-abiding citizens who are by and large the majority that simply work hand in hand with police with the few who engage in criminal activity and give Bimini an adverse name,” the Assistant Commissioner said.
