Some of the boats presented to the Marine Police Division at the handover ceremony at Newport East in Kingston, yesterday. "The boats have some useful names ... Hulk, Viper, Wasp," said National Security Minister Dr. Peter Phillips. "All the names convey the fact that there is a robust commitment and the capacity to hurt those who get in their way." - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer

THE MARINE Police's fight against the illegal drug and weapons trade got a shot in the arm yesterday when ten 17-foot Boston Whalers boats were commissioned at its Newport East headquarters.

The latest additions to the Marine Police's patrol unit are part of a major thrust by the Ministry of National Security to upgrade the division's fleet.

Twenty-seven boats of various sizes have been purchased by the ministry. National Security Minister, Dr. Peter Phillips, said they cost US$5 million (J$330 million).

"The boats have some useful names ... Hulk, Viper, Wasp," he said. "All the names convey the fact that there is a robust commitment and the capacity to hurt those who get in their way."

Dr. Phillips and Commissioner of Police Lucius Thomas joined head of the Marine Police, Superintendent Marlon Dietrich, on a test run through Kingston Harbour on one of the boats, interestingly named Bruce.

The Security Minister said the boats will be used in locations where the illegal drug and weapons trade is most rampant, namely, Kingston, Negril, Ocho Rios, Montego Bay, Port Antonio and Black River.

Overseas counterparts

In tandem with their overseas counterparts, local police have tapped into illegal drug and gun running in the last two years.

Some of the biggest names in the drug trade, such as Leebert Ramcharan of Montego Bay and Donovan Nembhard of St. Ann, have been arrested.

Operation Kingfish, formed in late 2004, has been the most effective of the Jamaica Constabulary Force's elite units.

It has seized and destroyed hundreds of pounds of marijuana this year, and made several arrests. It has also seized several illegal guns.