KINGSTON, Jamaica— Two Nicaraguans and a Jamaican have been arrested after they were found with over 1,400 pounds of ganja and a fishing vessel off the coast of Westmoreland on Monday.

Their identities have not been revealed.

A pre-dawn operation conducted by members of the Firearms and Narcotics Investigation Division (FNID), supported by the Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard, led to the interception of a fishing vessel off the coast of Westmoreland. A search was subsequently conducted.

During the search, the illicit drug, weighing 1480 pounds (672.6 kilograms), was allegedly found. The three men aboard the vessel were arrested during the operation.

“This interdiction underscores the JCF’s growing intelligence capabilities, enabling us to identify and relentlessly pursue organised crime actors involved in firearms and narcotics trafficking, regardless of their entry points. It also highlights the critical value of collaborative efforts in this complex fight,” said the head of FNID, senior superintendent Samuel Blake.

SSP Blake further stated that “this significant seizure potentially prevented the influx of multiple prohibited weapons onto the streets of Jamaica, with the syndicate’s modus operandi involving the exchanging narcotics for firearms, specifically AK-47 rifles.”

The three suspects have been detained on reasonable suspicion, and FNID investigators are pursuing charges under the Dangerous Drugs Act and the Criminal Justice (Suppression of Criminal Organizations) Act.

Individuals with information that can assist in the investigations are being urged to contact FNID at 876-923-5729, Crime Stop at 311, the National Intelligence Bureau at 811, or the nearest police station.