(UPDATE: The Jamaica Constabulary Force by Saturday night had revised its estimate of the value of the drug bust to $9 billion, while the Jamaica Defence Force has a place a value of $12 billion on the cocaine seized. There was however no explanation of the discrepancy between the two security forces.)

The Jamaican police made what is believed to be one of the largest drug busts in the island, seizing a shipment of cocaine valued at more than J$7 billion (US$50 million).

The cocaine was seized in Kingston during a multi-agency operation at the Port of Kingston. This is the third major drug bust in the last four months.

The police say the drug bust was made during a multi-agency operation by the Police Narcotics Division, Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) and the Jamaica Customs Agency personnel.

CONTAINER WAS SHIPPED FROM COLOMBIA

The cocaine, which is estimated to be hundreds of kilograms in weight was found concealed among the cargo of a vessel, which arrived in the island from South America yesterday.

Based on preliminary investigations, the container was shipped from Colombia with local law enforcement authorities theorising that Jamaica was not the final destination for the drugs.

The police and Jamaica Customs officials have indicated that the operation on the port will continue for an extended period to ensure the integrity of items arriving on the port.