St James man arrested and charged in connection with large drug bust at Kingston Freeport Terminal

September 11, 2026

A St James man has been arrested and charged in connection with the large drug bust at the Kingston Freeport Terminal, last month.

He is 56-year-old Roderick Spence of West Gate Hill, Montego bay.

This follows a joint operation conducted by the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Firearms and Narcotics Investigation Division, and the Jamaica Customs Agency, on August 7.

During the operation, FNID and JCA personnel inspected a shipping container destined for the United States of America.

The search yielded 103 parcels of cocaine as well as 123 parcels of ganja, with an estimated street value of over $71 million.

Spence was taken into police custody on Monday, September 7 and following a formal interview, he was charged with possession of dealing in / attempting to export and, conspiracy to export cocaine, as well as possession of dealing in / attempting to export and conspiracy to export ganja.

Spence is scheduled to appear before the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court next Wednesday, September 16, to answer the charges.

The JCF said this marks the latest breakthrough following a series of targeted operations carried out at the terminal between August 5 and August 7.

The operations initially resulted in the arrest of 8 individuals and the seizure of over 2000 kilograms of cocaine and a quantity of ganja.

Those 8 suspects have since been released on pre-charge bail, while investigations continue.

The FNID continues to work closely with local and international partners to disrupt transnational criminal networks and stem the flow of illicit drugs through Jamaica’s ports.