Eight Arrested In Major Cocaine Bust In St. Ann
By Clinton McGregor The Narcotics Division is reporting a major success in the disruption of a transnational drug trafficking syndicate operating between the United States and Jamaica. Eight members of this syndicate were on Wednesday arrested on board a cruise ship in Ocho Rios, St. Ann. The cops seized cocaine valued at more than J$100 million in the operation. Among the eight people arrested are seven US nationals and one Jamaican who were found attempting to smuggle a large quantity of cocaine out of the island. The police reported that all eight were passengers who earlier disembarked the vessel which arrived in Ocho Rios from Miami, Florida. Anomalies were detected in their luggage about 1:30 p.m. as the eight members of the syndicate were attempting to re-board the vessel for departure. During a search by members of the Narcotics Division, a total of 24 packages – containing cocaine weighing just over 17 kilograms or 38 pounds – were found concealed in their bags. The drug was seized and all eight passengers arrested. Their identities are being withheld pending further investigations which will include them being interviewed in the presence of their attorneys. The cocaine has a street value of approximately US$850,000 or J$130 million.