A forty-eight-year-old man was arrested and charged after he attempted to smuggle cocaine through the Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) in Kingston, on Tuesday (May 3).

Allister Christie was charged. He is from an Above Rocks, St Catherine address and Mississauga, Ontario address in Canada.

According to police reports, Christie checked in at the airport to board a flight destined for Canada but, several anomalies were detected during security procedures, and Christie attempted to flee the airport.

He was accosted and searched when the drug was reportedly found on him and taken into custody.

He was charged with possession of cocaine, dealing in cocaine, taking steps to export cocaine, and conspiracy to export cocaine.

The illicit drug found has an estimated street value of $12 million.

Christie is set to appear before the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Tuesday (May 9).

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