JCF says Western Jamaica accounted for 31 per cent of ganja seized across the island

ST JAMES, Jamaica—Deputy Director of the Firearms and Narcotics Investigation Division (FNID) for the Western Region, Deputy Superintendent Courtney Wilson, said the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), through its targeted operations by the FNID, has been making significant disruptions in transnational and organised crime.Western Jamaica alone has accounted for 31 per cent of ganja seized across the island.“In the western region since the start of this year, we have arrested 65 persons, 62 of whom we have charged for trafficking in various drugs, possession, dealing in, attempting to export, and, interestingly, importing and conspiracy. That is just for the western region only, meaning Montego Bay, Hanover, Westmoreland, Trelawny, St James,” said Wilson.He revealed that 13,000 pounds of ganja and 195 pounds of cocaine have been seized.DSP Wilson was addressing a media briefing held at the Western Regional Health Authority's technical office located in Freeport, St James, on Thursday.On the national level, the JCF has seized more than 11,000 pounds of cocaine with a street value of over 3 billion. Additionally, 42,000 pounds of ganja were seized, which does not include crops destroyed in the field.Wilson also provided data for new psychoactive substances, often referred to as “designer drugs,” such as Ecstasy and Molly. He said 7,322 tablets have been seized since the start of the year.The media briefing was used to highlight Jamaica's response to emerging drug threats, particularly new psychoactive substances and synthetic drugs.During the media briefing, a four-tier alert classification system to assess and communicate risk under the Early Warning System (EWS) launched in February 2024 to combat designer drugs was outlined.“We, too, are part of the early warning system, and so we have a programme that is called the ‘Demand Reduction Lectures.’ This takes us into various schools, institutions, churches, community groups, and just about anyone who will listen. And we will explain the dangers of getting involved in this drug trade,” stated Wilson.He pointed out that stopping the flow of illicit drugs requires a collective, global effort and urged citizens to play their part by reporting suspicious activity anonymously.“This fight against drugs is not a single family, it’s not a single community, it’s not even a national issue alone. It is a regional and a worldwide, cross-border, cross-national concern. And so we have to do our part. And our part is simple: we detect it, we have concern. If you have concern about some product that you think may be tainted with any of these synthetic opioids or whatever it is that they’re putting inside there, all we’re asking for you to do is just give us an anonymous call and then we will respond accordingly,” assured Wilson.Members of the public may share information by calling the FID at 923-6184, Crime Stop at 311, or the NIB at 811.The 2026 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is being observed under the theme: “World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses.”— Anthony Lewis