A Jamaican and US national charged in relation to separate multi-million dollar drug busts

Two men, including a foreign national, were arrested and charged in relation to the seizure of about $30 m worth of drugs and assets during separate incidents last week.

They are 47-year-old Dwayne Barnett, an electrician of Norbrook Crescent in Kingston and 49-year-old Moroslay Lyken of Brooklyn, New York in the United States of America.

The men were held by detectives assigned to the Firearms and Narcotics Investigation Division (FNID) following separate operations conducted at Barnett’s residence and at the Norman Manley International Airport, NMIA in Kingston between Thursday April 23 and Saturday April 25.

Over 60 kilograms or about 130 pounds of cocaine, 7 pounds of ganja and millions in assets, were seized.

In the first incident on Thursday members of the FNID’s special response unit executed a search warrant at a complex occupied by Barnett.

During the search, 55 parcels of cocaine weighing approximately 60.2 kg or over 130 lbs were reportedly discovered.

A subsequent search of the residence also led to the seizure of 5 lbs of ganja.

In addition to the narcotics police seized assets including over $1 m, as well as over US$1,000 from one suspect.

Four high-end motor vehicles were also seized.

A 9 m m glock pistol, 2 magazines and 34 rounds of ammunition were also seized from a licensed firearm holder at the scene.

The other suspects, including a woman from the Dominican Republic, were interviewed and released.

Investigations are ongoing in relation to the cocaine that was seized.

Barnett was formally charged on Saturday, April 25 with possession of ganja, dealing in ganja and using premises for the storage of ganja.

He is scheduled to appear before the Kingston and St. Andrew Parish Court on Wednesday May 27.

In the second incident on Saturday, FNID personnel intercepted Lyken at the NMIA in connection with illicit drugs.

Reports are that Lyken arrived from New York and during a routine screening anomalies were detected in his luggage.

FNID officers conducted a search and reportedly found 2 lbs of ganja in small parcels.

He was subsequently arrested and charged.

Lyken is scheduled to appear in the Kingston and St. Andrew Parish Court on Friday, May 1.

Meantime, Director of FNID, Superintendent Patrae Rowe states that this operation is part of a broader strategy to dismantle narcotics networks.

Superintendent Rowe said the resolve of the police is to dismantle narcotics networks across the island especially those that attempt to hide behind residential communities.

He said the cops will continue to use data-driven intelligence to disrupt the financial lifelines of organised crime and ensure that Jamaica remains a hostile environment for illicit drug trafficking.

Since the start of the year, the Jamaica Constabulary Force has seized over 4,300 kg of cocaine with an estimated street value of over $2.5 b.

They also seized over 11,000 kg of ganja, valued at $72 m.