Senior cop still expects arrests in billion-dollar drug bust

A well-placed policeman, who wishes not to be named, has raised questions about the police force's inability to make an arrest following last September's major drug bust at the Ian Flemming International Airport in St Mary.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey yesterday reiterated that "people will be arrested" as the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and other "foreign partners" continue their investigations into the billion-dollar drug bust.

"As I indicated, it is a joint investigation between us and our foreign partners and the investigation is still active. I know, and I can say with some level of certainty, that people will be arrested but the investigations continue," said Bailey at the JCF's monthly press conference. He made similar statements at February's press briefing when he asserted that legal issues were being ironed out between the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the foreign partners.

However, the unnamed cop said that the delay was questionable given the detailed operation that members of the Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime Investigations Branch executed over four days leading up to the seizure.

"In terms of the communication flow and tactical application, it's strange to me that an arrest has not yet been made," the policeman said. "The bus weh bring the coke into the airport, the driver, the pilot dem, nobody no get arrest."

The cocaine, weighing nearly 1,100 lbs, with an estimated street value of US$25 million (J$3.7 billion), was discovered in 10 large travelling bags following days of specific intelligence work and the subsequent search of a plane.

"Airbnb book and everything, a couple days well police camp out inna di area. Man dressed as local tourist a walk up and down the street, plain clothes police a govern activities both inside and outside the airport. It was a smooth process and everything was in place," the cop said. The lawman also informed that the pilots were allowed to 'fly out' after the discovery was made.

"Up to now there is no explanation 'bout how the drugs reach a di airport or pon di plane. When the day come fi wi mek di move, yuh have police officer a work on the ground inside the airport, and a next set outside and channel information to and from, so nothing couldn't miss," the cop shared.

- R.M.