The Jamaica Defence Force seized 1,272.9 pounds of marijuana during a joint Air Wing and Second District Coast Guard operation on Thursday.[1] In the wee hours of Thursday morning, service members in a JDF helicopter spotted a vessel in Jamaica’s waters while on patrol.[1] The Second District JDF Coast Guard was alerted and intercepted the vessel.[1] The four occupants of the vessel were taken into custody.[1] Two of the detained men were identified as Nicaraguans.[1]

A detailed board and search of the vessel found 20 large bags of marijuana.[1] The seized marijuana weighed 1,272.9 pounds, about 577.38 kg.[1] The JDF said money from this quantity of marijuana could be used to purchase approximately 15 rifles or 30 pistols.[1]

The army called the seizure significant, saying it puts a major dent in the drugs-for-guns trade.[1] According to the army, it has been making significant investments in its air and maritime assets to increase its capacity to safeguard Jamaica’s blue economy.[1] The JDF urged fisherfolk and other seafarers to use maritime spaces in accordance with the law and to report illegal activities to the JDF.[1]