$3.7B worth of cocaine seized south of Jamaica in joint raid

A successful combined counter-narcotics operation offshore Jamaica on Wednesday resulted in the Coast Guard seizing little more than 990 pounds of cocaine with an estimated street value of $3.7 billion, according to the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF).

It says the First District Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard was conducting routine patrols south of Jamaica when it pursued and intercepted a vessel believed to be transporting illicit narcotics.

During the chase, persons on board the suspected vessel reportedly threw multiple packages overboard, which were swiftly recovered by the JDF Coast Guard boarding team.

The JDF says the contraband was secured and transported to the First District JDF Coast Guard Base, where it was handed over to the Narcotics Police for processing.

The JDF has labelled the seizure a significant disruption to the regional drug-trafficking networks.

"This successful operation underscores the JDF's unwavering commitment to regional security cooperation and the protection of Jamaica's national borders against transnational organised crime.

"The Force will continue to work alongside our national and international partners to secure Jamaica's maritime space, strengthen our borders, protect our people, and to counter illicit activities that threaten regional stability," the JDF said in a media release on Thursday.

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