Police have seized cocaine valued at more than $1 billion in separate operations at the Kingston Freeport Container Terminal and the Sangster International Airport between October 16 and 17.
A British national was also arrested in connection with drug-smuggling attempt.
Robian Williams reports.
The seizures were made during coordinated counter-narcotics operations between October 16 and 17 by the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Firearms and Narcotics Investigation Division, FNID, in collaboration with the Jamaica Customs Agency and international partners.
At the Kingston Freeport Container Terminal, KFTL, investigators seized approximately 1,457 kilogrammes of cocaine from two containers destined for Belgium.
The containers arrived in Jamaica from Honduras on October 12 aboard the same vessel.
The first container was searched on October 16 at about 4:05 pm, when 25 knitted bags containing 661 kilogrammes of cocaine were found. The drugs have an estimated street value of $462.7 million.
Police say a second search on October 17 at about 10 am uncovered 789 kilogrammes of cocaine in 28 knitted bags. The drugs are valued at approximately $552.3 million.
Later that day, investigators at the Sangster International Airport detected anomalies in the luggage of a British national who was preparing to board a flight to London, England.
A search of the luggage uncovered 14.5 pounds of cocaine concealed in food packages, along with four plastic bottles containing liquid cocaine. The drugs seized at the airport have an estimated street value of $4.5 million.
The British national was taken into custody. His identity is being withheld pending further investigations.
Acting Director of the FNID, Deputy Superintendent of Police Oreth Dunkley, says the seizures represent another setback for organised criminal networks involved in drug trafficking.
He says the trafficking of illicit drugs threatens Jamaica’s national security, fuels organised crime and contributes to violence in communities.
DSP Dunkley says the division remains committed to working with local and international partners to intercept illegal drug shipments and apprehend those involved in the trade.
