Local News

Over 6,000 pounds of cocaine seized since start of year

18 April 2026
This content originally appeared on Jamaica News.
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More than 6,800 pounds of cocaine, valuing nearly $2b, have been seized across Jamaica, by the Firearms and Narcotics Investigation Division (FNID), so far this year.

In an update to Irie FM News, FNID Director Superintendent Patrae Rowe explains that this year’s seizures have already exceeded last year’s total, by over 200%.

Superintendent Rowe stresses that this outcome is indicative of the deliberate policing approaches being implemented by FNID.

He pointed to the latest seizure, of over 21 pounds of cocaine at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, on Friday, April 10.

Two farm workers, Leroy Thomas and Dwight Gardner, have been jointly charged with possession of cocaine, dealing in cocaine, taking preparatory steps to export cocaine and conspiracy to export cocaine.

Superintendent Rowe says, 3.6 kg of cocaine were found in Gardner’s luggage, while 6 kg of cocaine were discovered in Thomas’.

The illicit drug has an estimated street value of $5.7m.

Thomas and Gardner are to appear in the Kingston and St. Andrew parish court on Wednesday,

April 22.