MAJOR DRUG BUST: THREE CHARGED IN GUNS-FOR-DRUGS CRACKDOWN
The Jamaica Constabulary Force continues its clamp down on the illicit trade of guns for drugs, with the latest arrest and charge of three men following the seizure of more than 3000 pounds of ganja in Toms River at the border of St. Mary and St. Andrew on Friday, July 18.
Charged are 50-year-old Heron Brown, a farmer of Burton district, St. Elizabeth, 30-year-old Wade Richards, a vendor of Thompson Pen, St. Catherine and 28-year-old Delroy Wilson of Margarets Bay, Portland.
All three men were charged with:
– Two counts of Possession of Ganja
– Two counts of dealing in Ganja
– Two counts of Taking Steps Preparatory to Export Ganja
– Two counts of Trafficking Ganja
– Conspiracy to Traffic Ganja
About 9:00 p.m. on July 18, members of the Firearms and Narcotics Investigation Division (FNID) Special Operations Team, intercepted two motor vehicles in Toms River. One of the vehicles was occupied by Wilson and two Haitian nationals, while the other men occupied the other vehicle. A thorough search of the vehicles uncovered more than 350 parcels of ganja, with an estimated street value of JM$9.3 million.
All five men were arrested where Brown, Richards and Wilson were subsequently charged. Charges are to be laid against the two Haitian nationals who were arrested in the incident.
This latest seizure is part of a larger ongoing effort by the JCF to significantly disrupt criminal networks. Since the start of the year over 40,000 pounds of ganja have been seized valued at JM$121 million. Additionally, more than 1700 pounds of cocaine, valued more than JM$405 million have been intercepted.
Director of FNID, Acting Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP Actg.) Patrae Rowe, said that these large scale findings of illicit drugs has a direct correlation to the guns-for-drugs trade impacting the island.
“These drugs act as currency to arm criminals with weapons. The value of the drugs seized so far this year is more than JM$500 million. If not intercepted, this could have potentially placed more than 400 rifles or over 800 handguns into the hands of hardened criminals in Jamaica. That is why we have heightened vigilance and have enhanced our operations surrounding these drugs; they are traded for the weapons of choice in committing murders – firearms.”
Meanwhile, Acting SSP Rowe is once again appealing to citizens to share information on illegal drugs and firearms by contacting FNID at 876-923-6184, Crime Stop at 311, the National Intelligence Bureau at 811, the police 119 emergency number or the nearest police station.
