NMIA employees arrested in multi-million dollar drug bust
Jamaican authorities arrested six individuals, including four employees of Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA), in coordinated anti-narcotics operations spanning St. Ann and the airport premises on Thursday.
Seizure valued at over $20 million
The operations yielded a substantial seizure of contraband, notably cocaine with an estimated value exceeding $20 million.
Alongside 3.8 kilograms of cocaine, law enforcement confiscated 55 pounds of ganja, three motor vehicles, and over $1.2 million in cash.
Cocaine concealed in food packages
In the initial phase of the operation, narcotics police intercepted two motor vehicles at the Eight Rivers Plaza in Ocho Rios.
A search uncovered 3.8 kilograms of cocaine ingeniously concealed within food packages. Additionally, authorities apprehended the drivers of the vehicles and seized a sum of $118,000.
Ramp attendants implicated
Law enforcement then executed a raid at NMIA in Kingston.
A thorough search of a motor vehicle led to the discovery of 25 kilograms of ganja concealed inside a suitcase within the trunk.
Simultaneously, authorities seized $1.2 million found within the vehicle.
Four airport ramp attendants were taken into custody, and the vehicle was seized.
The estimated street value of the ganja is $540,000.
Two of the ramp attendants were later released.
