SV-AVATAR: LAST OF THE EXUMAS - VISITING A DRUG BARON'S ISLAND AND DIVING ON A PLANE

NORMAN'S CAY

DC-3 that crashed after doing an experimental short takeoff, they used grass sods to simulate the weight of cocaine

This island has been the most interesting of them all.

It used to be owned by a Columbian, Carlos Lehder, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlos_Lehder‎. He bought the island in the late 70's and eventually ran off most of the homeowners. It was perfect for his drug transportation operation as it had a runway and is quite secluded, only accessible by air or boat.

Large planes would land with the cocaine, originating from Columbia (Pablo Escobar). The cocaine would then be flown into the USA on smaller planes to avoid detection.

The operation thrived, with some Bahamian government officials looking the other way. Lehder was always tipped off when a DEA raid was to take place, as the USA needed special Bahamian government permission to enter the country. A yacht, owned by an American couple was found deserted, just off the island. It was riddled with bullet holes and blood. Another time, 3 elderly Americans needed to make an emergency landing on the island, but they blocked the runway with another plane and a truck, so the plane crash-landed on the side of the runway and they were badly injured. Fortunately, they had made repeated mayday calls on the radio, which was picked up by authorities. Instead of leaving them to die, the drug lord was instructed(by the Bahamian police) to fly the casualties to Freeport.

'Diego Delgado' is the Lehder character portrayed in the movie Blow, with Johnny Depp playing Charles Jung.

Anyway, the island is being developed slowly, with nice beach houses. Yachties are allowed to walk on the island and check out the old dilapidated buildings, we swam to the beach and walked the runway.