Port employees detained in Jamaica cocaine smuggling probe

Several employees at Kingston Container Terminal have been taken into custody as Jamaican authorities investigate a suspected drug smuggling syndicate operating at the facility.

The detentions follow the seizure of approximately J$1 billion (US$6.3 million) worth of cocaine earlier this week, according to the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

The JCF said its Firearms and Narcotics Investigation Division, working with the Jamaica Customs Agency and supported by the Specialised Operations Branch, conducted a major multi-agency operation at the terminal Friday.

“Several employees suspected of being part of a drug smuggling syndicate operating at the facility have so far been taken into custody,” the JCF said.

The police force did not disclose how many employees were detained or provide details about potential charges. It said the investigation remains ongoing and that further updates will be provided.

The Jamaica Gleaner reported that Kingston Freeport Terminal Limited was placed under a virtual lockdown for several hours Friday as law enforcement officers carried out the operation.

Citing an unnamed source familiar with the investigation, the newspaper reported that at least eight employees were detained and that investigators searched their personal vehicles.

The Gleaner also reported that investigators had been monitoring the movement of containers as part of an operation that led to the cocaine discovery.

The investigation has reportedly expanded beyond Kingston, with authorities searching premises in St. Thomas and other parishes as they pursue additional leads.

The latest operation comes amid a sharp increase in cocaine seizures in Jamaica this year.

In June, the FNID reported that more than 5,100 kilograms of cocaine, valued at approximately J$3 billion (US$18.9 million), had been seized during the first six months of 2026.

According to figures released by the division at the time, the amount seized during the first half of this year had already surpassed the combined cocaine seizures recorded over the previous six years.

It was also more than twice Jamaica’s previous single-year record of 2,508 kilograms, which was seized in 2024.

Authorities have not indicated whether the latest seizure is included in the 5,100-kilogram figure previously reported by the FNID.

The investigation into the suspected smuggling network at Kingston Container Terminal remains ongoing.