JAMAICA: THREE LARGE GANJA SEIZURES IN TWO WEEKS

UNCLAS KINGSTON 000539 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR INL/LP (BOZZOLO),WHA/CAR (BENT) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL SNAR KCRM JM SUBJECT: JAMAICA: THREE LARGE GANJA SEIZURES IN TWO WEEKS ¶1. On February 21, during a routine examination of a 20-foot container located at the Kingston wharves, the Contraband Enforcement Team (CET),accompanied by the Narcotics police found 294.55 kilograms of processed marijuana inside 27 tins of sealed cheese. The shipment belonged to Paul Bennett of 85 Hughden Avenue, Kingston 20 and was consigned to Midland Distributors Ltd. The Narcotics police are questioning Bennett. No arrests have been made. ¶2. On March 1, Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) officers on routine patrol along the seashores of Port Kaiser, Saint Elizabeth, discovered 317 kilograms of compressed ganja. No arrests were made. The Narcotics police are investigating. ¶3. On March 3, a joint operation involving the Jamaica Defence Force and the Narcotics Police resulted in the seizure of 400 kilograms of compressed marijuana hidden aboard a 30-foot yacht, registration number RB328 at the Port Antonio harbor. Three Americans were arrested and charged with possession of, dealing in, and taking steps to export ganja. The vessel was seized for a more comprehensive search and the ganja was handed over to the Narcotics Division. JOHNSON