COLOMBIAN NATIONAL AMONG THREE CHARGED FOLLOWING MAJOR COCAINE SEIZURE
A Colombian national is among three men now facing multiple drug-related charges following the seizure of a significant quantity of cocaine off Jamaica’s southern coastline last week.
Charged are 48-year-old Jonothan Daluqua Latarda, a fisherman of Riococha, Colombia; 48-year-old Delbert Passelle, otherwise called ‘Glen,’ a boat captain of Cove District, Lucea in Hanover; and 42-year-old Leroy Donovan Holding, otherwise called ‘Bud,’ a fisherman of Poorman’s Corner, Yallahs in St. Thomas.
All three men have been charged with possession of cocaine, dealing in cocaine, trafficking cocaine, importing cocaine, and conspiracy to import cocaine. Latarda, the Colombian national, has also been charged with illegal entry.
The charges stem from a joint operation on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, during which members of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) Coast Guard intercepted a vessel approximately 20 miles off
Portland Ridge. During the operation, 37 knitted bags containing 1,053 rectangular parcels of a substance resembling cocaine were seized. The substance has a total weight of approximately 1,172.4 kilogrammes. The seizure is valued at approximately JMD$703,000,000.
Reports indicate that the JDF Coast Guard team was on routine maritime patrol when the vessel was intercepted and the occupants apprehended on reasonable suspicion of breaches of the Dangerous Drugs Act.
The vessel, along with the three men and the seized contraband, was escorted to the JDF Coast Guard Base at Port Royal, Kingston, where personnel from the Firearms and Narcotics Investigation Division (FNID) were alerted.
The scene was subsequently processed by forensic investigators assigned to FNID, during which the contents of the knitted bags were examined and documented in the presence of the accused men.
On Wednesday, April 29, 2026, buccal swabs were taken from all three men while in custody at the Kingston Central Police Station. They were formally charged thereafter.
The accused are scheduled to appear before the Corporate Area Criminal Court on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.
Investigations into the matter are ongoing.
