Over 1,600 pounds of ganja seized in St St Thomas, two men arrested

Two men have been slapped with multiple drug charges after police seized more than 1,600 pounds of ganja during a major operation along the Pamphret main road in St Thomas on Friday, September 26.

Charged are 41-year-old Rayon Chambers of Whitehouse, Westmoreland, and 30-year-old Tekashi Foster of Slipe, St Elizabeth.

Reports are that about 9:35 a.m., members of the Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime Investigation Branch (C-TOC), supported by the Firearms and Narcotics Investigation Division (FNID), intercepted two motor cars. A search of the vehicles uncovered 33 knitted bags packed with compressed ganja, weighing more than 1,600 pounds.

Both men were arrested and later charged with possession of ganja, dealing in ganja, taking steps preparatory to export ganja, and trafficking ganja. Their court date is being finalised.

This marks the second major ganja seizure in St Thomas in just over a week. On Sunday, September 21, police confiscated more than 1,900 pounds of compressed ganja, valued at $5.7 million, during an operation in Dumfries. Two men, 39-year-old Jermaine Thompson of Retreat, St Thomas, and 27-year-old William Reid, were nabbed with several knitted bags and a boat. They have since been charged with possession of ganja, dealing in ganja, and taking steps preparatory to export ganja.

Investigators say the intensified operations are part of efforts to disrupt the illegal guns-for-drugs trade that fuels gang activity across the island.

The public is reminded to report illegal firearms and narcotics by contacting FNID at 876-923-6184, the National Intelligence Bureau at 811, Crime Stop at 311, or the nearest police station.

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