Detectives assigned to the Firearms and Narcotics Investigation Division (FNID) have formally charged two men in separate incidents for breaches of the Dangerous Drugs Act.

On Friday, July 4, a police team intercepted two motor vehicles along the Port Morant main road in St Thomas. One of the vehicles, being driven by 39-year-old Brenton Ledgister of Longwood, St Elizabeth, was searched. During the search of the vehicle, more than 1,400 pounds of compressed ganja were found and more than JM$150,000 in cash.

The other vehicle, owned by Ledgister but being driven by another individual, was also searched; however, no illicit drug was found. Ledigister was arrested and charged with the following offences:

• Possession of ganja
• Dealing in ganja
• Trafficking ganja
• Conspiracy to traffic ganja
• Possession of criminal property

The ganja has an estimated street value of JM$4.4 million.

In a separate incident, 48-year-old George McKenzie of Airy Place, Kingston 19, was charged on Wednesday, July 9, in connection with the seizure of 4.4 pounds (2 kilograms) of cocaine in June 2024.

Reports are that on June 19, 2024, a Honda CR-V driven by McKenzie was intercepted by the police during an operation in Middle Quarters, St. Elizabeth.

McKenzie proceeded to abandon the vehicle and flee.

A search of the vehicle uncovered the cocaine. After eluding the police for a year, he was apprehended and subsequently charged with the following offences:

• Dealing in cocaine
• Trafficking cocaine
• Conspiracy to traffic cocaine

The cocaine seized has an estimated street value of JM$1 million.

Their court dates are currently being finalised.