In a significant operation on Tuesday, eight American citizens were detained in the Caribbean after authorities discovered “high-powered weapons” and a large cache of ammunition on their vessel, according to police reports.

The Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) announced in a news release that officers from the Alice Town Police Station collaborated with the Bahamas Customs Department to conduct a search of a boat moored in Bimini, a group of islands located about 50 miles east of Miami, Florida. The search, carried out at 11:30 a.m., was based on “intelligence,” though the RBPF did not disclose the specific nature of the information they received.

The boat’s 10 passengers, which comprised eight Americans, a South African, and an individual from Guyana, were all detained by the authorities. The ages of those arrested range from 21 to 62, but police have not released their identities.

Exuma, known for its stunning white sands and clear turquoise waters, is a popular district within The Bahamas, boasting over 365 islands and cays.

Weapons, ammunition and cash seized

During the operation, the authorities uncovered a significant stash of weapons, ammunition, and cash on board the vessel.

The search led to the discovery of three “high-powered weapons,” 11 firearms, a vast amount of ammunition, and a “considerable sum of undeclared cash,” as reported by the agency.

A view of the beach in Bimini, Bahamas, on May 1, 2024. (Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Investigation ongoing

The investigation remains ongoing, police said. It was not immediately clear what charges the Americans face. Fox News Digital has reached out to the U.S. State Department for additional information.

Members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force SWAT team stand guard outside the Magistrate’s Court in Nassau, Bahamas. (Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

The RBPF has not indicated whether more arrests are expected and did not immediately respond to requests for comment.