Police Commissioner Francis Forbes (second right) and the DEA Attaché for the region, John Reape (left), discuss Jamaica's success in the narcotics operation which concluded last weekend. Others in photo are Deputy Superintendent James Forbes (second left) and Deputy Commissioner Tilford Johnson (right). - Junior Dowie A JOINT anti-narcotics operation involving 32 regional countries has resulted in the arrest of over 1,000 persons and the seizure of more than 800 kilograms of cocaine, 37 illegal guns, five speed boats and eight motor vehicles in a four week period.
Outlining the success of "Operation Libertador", Police Commissioner Francis Forbes told reporters yesterday that over the past three weeks, anti-narcotics operations including Customs, Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) Coast Guards and Air Wing were busy in ganja eradication, raids and the execution of warrants, roadblocks, marine surveillance and the profiling of passengers arriving and departing the island.
The success of the programme has been hailed by the United States government through its regional head Drug Enforcement Authority (DEA) John Reape .
"We could not have asked for better co-operation from Commissioner Francis Forbes and his team. They did an extraordinary job and the operation was a huge success, thanks to their help," Reape said yesterday.
"Operation Libertador" was a multi-agency, counterdrug initiative that took place in the Caribbean region and involved enforcement agencies from 32 countries, including the Caribbean, Central and South America. It started on October 27 and concluded on November 17.
It's primary objectives were to disrupt illegal drug operations in the countries which participated, sharing of intelligence and information concerning illegal drugs.
Commissioner Forbes said the efforts resulted in arrest of 1,015 persons. This included 37 nabbed at the island's two international airports and three who were about to board a passenger cruise ship. Among those charged was a 75-year-old man who was found with 2 1/2 kilograms of cocaine.
He said 11,000 pounds of ganja was seized, along with over 670 rounds of ammunition. There were 719 raids and 103 roadblocks from which 81.65 hectares of ganja destroyed, 581,900 ganja seedlings and 13 chillum pipes, 234 ganja plants, 442 pieces of crack and five pipes, plus 320 knives.
Head of the Narcotics Division Senior Superintendent Carl Williams said the operations included two major finds, the 780 kilograms of cocaine in St. Elizabeth this week and a recent 5,000 pound ganja bust at a house in Cherry Gardens, St. Andrew.
"One man has been arrested in this case and we are conducting further investigation into the matter," the Narcotics' Chief said.
Responding to questions about the involvement of high-ranking officers of the security forces in the drug trade, the DEA attaché said he has no direct information at this time to confirm this.
