By Glenroy Sinclair, Staff Reporter 
Detective Sergeant Jubert Llewellyn of the Constabulary Communication Network (CCN) makes notes as he examines the 3,395 pounds of cocaine seized by the narcotics police yesterday. - Rudolph Brown/Staff Photographer
A JOINT drug-busting operation between Colombian and Jamaican narcotics agents seized a record illegal shipment of cocaine with a street value of US$12.3 million after a speedboat chase which ended at Port Royal Harbour, Kingston yesterday morning.
A twin engine 34-foot go-fast vessel, which was under surveillance by Colombian and Jamaican narcotics agents, was intercepted in the Port Royal waters and the massive cocaine haul was discovered along with guns, ammunition and vehicles.
Four persons, including a district constable from the St. Catherine South Division and a foreign national believed to be a Colombian, were taken into custody.
The head of the island's Narcotics Division, Senior Superintendent Carl Williams, told The Gleaner: "It was a joint operation between the Colombian Police and Narcotics agents and the Jamaican Defence Force (JDF) Coast-guard and Air Wing".
GUNS, AMMO DISCOVERED
Police describe the seizure as the country's largest cocaine bust. According to SSP Williams 3,395 pounds of cocaine, two brand new 9-mm Berita pistols wrapped in plastic, plus eight magazines and 120 cartridges for the pistols were discovered.
"We also found maps, a compass and navigational instruments," said the Narcotics Chief.
It is also reported that immediately after the boat left Colombian waters on Monday, narcotics agents in Jamaica were alerted.
"The Colombian Police alerted us immediately after they left that country for Jamaica. We deployed men at various points across the island because we never knew where they would turn up," said Mr. Williams.
The Gleaner understands that at about 4:00 a.m. the boat was seen by a JDF helicopter, other agents were alerted and the boat was chased. Under pressure from the helicopter, the boat was beached along the Palisadoes strip, near the Port Royal Cemetery.
FOUR HELD
SSP Williams said the occupants of the boat ran from the vessel, but during a search of the area three men were seen attempting to escape in a Honda motor car, while another attempted to flee in a Nissan pick up. All four were held.
Up to late yesterday evening they were still being interrogated by narcotics police. More than $100,000 in cash was found in one of the detainee's possession.
"This is the type of success we can have when we have two countries linking together," said SSP Williams.
Opposition spokesman on national security, Derrick Smith, described the drug bust as the largest in local law enforcement history. He said it
was a significant accomplishment in the battle against the illegal drug trade.
Mr Smith said local law enforcement authorities had smashed several huge drug rings since last year. He said the fact that the police were becoming increasingly successful was sending signals that the drug dons were under pressure.
About four months ago, Jamaica and the Colombian Government signed a drug pact to formalise their collaboration against the international cocaine trade.
And three months ago, the alleged head of a Colombian drug cartel, Rafael Miguel Bustamante Bolanos, whom narcotics detectives believe was responsible for the major distribution of cocaine between Colombia and Jamaica, was caught in Cuba after a joint investigation by United States, Colombian, Cuban and Jamaican police.
