Businessman held after US$850,000 ganja bust
ST CATHERINE, Jamaica – A 37-year-old St Elizabeth businessman was arrested Thursday after ganja valuing some US$850,000 was seized during an operation by police in Portmore, St Catherine.
The ganja was reportedly found in tins labelled as processed food which was set to be exported.
The police are asking that a taxi driver by the name of Anthony Murray, otherwise called ‘Sprang’, from Mike Town, Manchester, whom they believe can assist with their investigation, contact the Narcotics Division.
It was reported that detectives from the Narcotics Division and the Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch conducted a snap operation along the Portmore Toll Road on Thursday.
During the operation, a 2013 Toyota Hiace bus transporting a quantity of processed food intended for export, was intercepted.
Following a subsequent search, ganja weighing approximately 700 pounds was found concealed in tins labelled as canned food. The illegal substance had an estimated street value of approximately US$850,000.
The vehicle along with the contraband were seized and the driver arrested on reasonable suspicion for breaches of the Dangerous Drugs Act.
Police said formal charges are expected to be laid pending an interview which is to be conducted in the presence of his attorney.