Durrant Pate/Contributor

 The Police Force’s intensified efforts in countering illicit drugs dealt a significant blow to organised crime networks after intercepting major shipments of contraband during a three-day operation at the Kingston Freeport Terminal.

 Eight individuals are currently in police custody as the investigation progresses. Between Wednesday, August 5 and Friday, August 7, a multi-agency operation between the Firearms and Narcotics Investigation Division and Jamaica Customs, supported by the Specialised Operations Branch, resulted in the seizure of more than two tonnes of cocaine destined for international markets, along with a significant amount of ganja. 

On August 5, 885 parcels of cocaine, weighing 1,017 kilograms, were discovered in a container destined for Spain. Locally, this seizure has an estimated street value of JMD 610.2 million. In the European market, the estimated street value is approximately €61,020,000, which is the 

equivalent of JMD 11.17 billion.

More cocaine seizure 

The following day, August 6, 825 parcels of cocaine weighing 932 kilograms were found concealed in a container, also destined for Spain. Locally, this seizure has an estimated street value of JMD559.2 million. In the European market, the drug has an estimated value of €55,920,000, which is the equivalent of JMD 10.24 billion.

On Friday, August 7, 103 parcels of cocaine, weighing 118.4 kilograms and 256 pounds of ganja were also found hidden in a container destined for Florida in the United States. Locally, the cocaine has an estimated street value of JMD 71 million.

In the United States, it has  an estimated street value of USD 3.5 million, which is the equivalent of JMD 562.4 million. Since the start of 2026, the JCF’s aggressive counter-narcotics strategy has removed 7,226.28 kg of cocaine valued at JMD 4.3 billion from circulation. 

High-level investigations, forensic examinations and joint international operational activities will intensify in the coming days as the police work alongside local and international law-enforcement partners to dismantle the syndicates behind these operations.