Over J$1 Billion in Cocaine Seized at Kingston Port and Sangster Airport

JCF's FNID intercepted 1,457 kg of cocaine at Kingston Freeport Terminal and Sangster International Airport in 48-hour operations. A British national was arrested.

JCF seizes more than J$1 billion in cocaine at Kingston port and Montego Bay airport

The Jamaica Constabulary Force's Firearms and Narcotics Investigation Division (FNID) seized more than J$1 billion worth of cocaine across a series of counter-narcotics operations conducted on October 16 and 17, the Jamaica Observer reported. A British national was arrested in connection with one of the seizures.

The operations, carried out in collaboration with the Jamaica Customs Agency and international partners, targeted both the Kingston Freeport Terminal Limited (KFTL) and Sangster International Airport.

At KFTL, investigators intercepted two shipping containers bound for Belgium that had arrived from Honduras on October 12. The first container was searched on October 16, yielding 25 knitted bags packed with 661 kilogrammes of cocaine, valued at approximately J$462.7 million. The following morning, a second container from the same vessel was opened, revealing 28 knitted bags holding 789 kilogrammes of cocaine with an estimated street value of J$552.3 million.

Later on October 17, FNID officers at Sangster International Airport detected irregularities in the luggage of a British national preparing to board a flight to London. A search uncovered 14.5 pounds of cocaine hidden in food packages, as well as four plastic bottles containing liquid cocaine. The drugs carried an estimated value of J$4.5 million. The man was taken into custody; his identity is being withheld pending further investigations.

Acting FNID Director, Deputy Superintendent of Police Oreth Dunkley, said the seizures dealt a blow to criminal networks active in drug trafficking.

"The trafficking of illicit drugs poses a serious threat to Jamaica. It fuels organised crime and contributes to violence in our communities," Dunkley said.

Dunkley reaffirmed the division's commitment to working with local and international partners to intercept drug shipments and apprehend those responsible, describing the operations as part of broader efforts to safeguard Jamaica's national security and public safety.

Source: Jamaica Observer