$5.7 million worth of ganja seized in St Thomas

More than 1,900 pounds of ganja was seized during an operation by the police in Dumfries, St Thomas, on Sunday.

The drug, with an estimated street value of $ 5.7 million, was found by operatives assigned to the Firearms and Narcotics Investigation Division (FNID). According to the Corporate Communications Unit of the the Jamaica Constabulary Force about 11 p.m., FNID personnel carried out an operation at a beach in Dumfries where two men were seen with a quantity of knitted bags. The men were accosted and a search of the bags revealed the compressed ganja.

The police said one boat, affixed with two 75HP engines, was also seized.

The two men were taken into custody, however, their identities are being withheld pending further investigations.

Superintendent of Police Oral Henry, acting director of FNID, emphasised the implications of the seizure.

"The proceeds from these drugs are often used to purchase illegal firearms, which are then trafficked into Jamaica. By disrupting this operation, we have not only prevented a significant amount of drugs from reaching their destination but have also cut off a key financial pipeline for criminal gangs," Henry said.