Four held as JDF seizes 1,037 kg ganja off Manchester
The Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard intercepted a vessel southwest of Long Bay Beach, Manchester, seizing over 2,286 pounds of marijuana valued at about $45 million. Four people were detained and handed over with the drugs to the police narcotics division for processing.
🇯🇲 Southwest of Long Bay Beach, Manchester · Jamaica
Arrested
4
Cannabis
1.03725 t
Agencies
Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard, Jamaica Constabulary Force Firearms and Narcotics Investigation Division
Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard units detained four people in connection with
a ganjaseizure offshore Manchester.[1]The four people and the seized
marijuana were handed over to the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Firearms and
Narcotics Investigation Division for processing.[2]
The JDF’s Maritime Air and Cyber Command seized over 2,286.75 pounds of
marijuana, valued at approximately $45 million, on Tuesday after intercepting a
vessel southwest of Long Bay Beach, Manchester.[1]The Gleaner likewise
reported that the weed weighed more than 2,286.75 pounds with an estimated
street value of about $45 million and that the vessel was intercepted southwest
of Long Bay Beach.[2]
The First and Second District Coast Guard units were conducting routine patrols
along Jamaica’s southern coastline when they detected a suspicious vessel near
the Farquhars Beach area in Clarendon.[1]A coordinated pursuit ensued and
ended with the successful interception of the vessel.[1]A detailed search of
the vessel found 38 knitted bags containing marijuana and several 200-gallon
fuel drums.[1]
IRIE FM reported that four people are in custody after the interception
southwest of Long Bay Beach in Manchester yesterday.[3]
Photos and video
Ganja seized by the Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard in Manchester. Photo: Jamaica ObserverPhoto details
IRIE FMiriefm.netFour in custody after JDF seizes $45M worth of marijuana southwest of Long Bay Beach, Manchester
Open questions the AI reported
The reports say the seizure happened on Tuesday and were published on 4 March 2026, so 3 March 2026 is used as the incident date, though no source states the calendar date directly.
Sources state the value as $45 million without naming the currency; it is recorded as Jamaican dollars, the local currency, but no source explicitly says JMD.
The 2,286.75-pound figure converts to about 1,037.25 kg; the kilogram figure is a conversion, not a separately weighed amount.
The headline of the Nationwide Radio report gives 2,000 pounds while its body and the other outlets give 2,286.75 pounds; the larger figure is used.
No names, charges, pleas or court outcome for the four detained people were reported.
No laboratory confirmation of the marijuana beyond the authorities' description was reported.
Police and the JDF Coast Guard seized over 2,000 pounds of ganja from a canoe near Alligator Pond, St Elizabeth on March 3. Four men on board were charged with possession, dealing, trafficking and export-related ganja offences.
Police intercepted two cars on the Pamphret main road in St Thomas on September 26, 2025, seizing 1,600 pounds of compressed ganja in 33 bags. Two men were arrested and charged with possession, dealing, export-preparation and trafficking offences.
Three men are being prosecuted over 1,890 pounds (about 857 kg) of compressed ganja that police said they were taking to a Jamaican port on 15 August 2025. Two were granted $1 million bail, the third stayed in lockup, and the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court set 6 January 2026 for case management.
Police seized more than 3,000 pounds of ganja from two vehicles in Toms River on 18 July 2025 and arrested five men. Three Jamaicans and two Haitian nationals were subsequently charged with possession, dealing, trafficking and export-related ganja offences.