St James businessman arrested in multi-million dollar drug bust

A St James businessman suspected of breaching the Dangerous Drugs Act remains in Police custody following his arrest by members of the Narcotics Division in the aftermath of operations that saw the seizure of millions of dollars’ worth of cocaine and a large sum of cash on the weekend.

Reports are that about 11p.m., on Saturday, July 4, the man who is of an Irwin, St James address, was driving an Isuzu motor truck along the Salem main road in St. Ann when lawmen signalled him to stop.

The man complied; his motor truck was searched and it is alleged that 19 parcels of cocaine, weighing approximately 45 pounds, were found, as well as JMD 86, 000 and USD 1,400.

The illicit drugs which according to the police have an estimated street value of JMD 26 million, the cash, and the motor truck, along with the suspect’s licensed firearm, were seized.

Following that seizure, the police conducted a secondary operation at the businessman’s home in Irwin, St. James about 6 p.m. on Sunday, July 5, where approximately JMD 750,000, USD 800, forty-four 9mm cartridges and several vehicles were seized.

The identity of the suspect is being withheld pending further investigations. The Police say they are working relentlessly to dismantle and disrupt drug trafficking syndicates across the island. 

Operations will continue as the Police work in collaboration with international partners who seek to significantly reduce incidents of drug trafficking. 

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