However. the less affluent often spend their last dime to buy illegal papers or a place on a boat or plane which is smuggling people into the Bahamas and the United States. Many of these people are desperate and desperate people will try almost anythingno matter the cost. Most of the smuggling operations are known to the United States and foreign governments. Yet. little cooperation exists between countries to stop the smuggling. Last year. after working with our State Department. the government of the Bahamas finally acted to require visas instead of mere tourist cards for entry into the islands. However. this has not stopped the smugglers. They are experienced professionals and are using private airstrips and islands where they can drop their cargo.