Cops make $300-million ganja bust

A joint operation between the Jamaica Constabulary Force's Narcotics Division and their St Thomas colleagues resulted in the seizure of approximately US$2 million (approximately $305 million) of compressed ganja last week.

Reports are that about 8 a.m., during an operation in Roselle district in the parish, the joint police team searched an abandoned, enclosed body Isuzu motor truck parked in a section of the community. The vehicle was found to contain 2,000 pounds of compressed ganja disguised among food products.

The police are reporting increased incidents of drug trafficking in Portland and St Thomas. The police are asking citizens to assist in curtailing drug trafficking in these parishes by calling Crime Stop at 311, police emergency 119 or the Narcotics Division at 876-923-5729 or 876-923-6184.

Meanwhile a welder has been charged with drug offences after police allegedly found US$600,000 (approximately $91.5 million) worth of ganja in the vehicle he was driving.

EXPORT GANJA

Jason Johnson, 45, of Rose Hall district, St Elizabeth, was charged last Saturday by the narcotics police in connection with the seizure of approximately 600 pounds of compressed ganja in Buff Bay, Portland, on March 29. Johnson has been charged with possession of ganja, dealing in ganja, taking steps to export ganja, conspiracy to export ganja and trafficking ganja.

Johnson was arrested along the Buff Bay main road about 2 p.m., when the ganja was reportedly found in the Nissan Wingroad motor car he was driving. The vehicle and drugs were seized and Johnson arrested on reasonable suspicion for breaches of the Dangerous Drugs Act.

Following an interview in the presence of his attorney, Johnson was formally charged with the aforementioned offences. He is to appear in the Portland Parish Court this Thursday.