Nicaraguan fishermen held in Westmoreland ganja bust charged
Published:Friday | May 16, 2025 | 2:36 PM
Detectives assigned to the Firearms and Narcotics Investigation Division have charged the three Nicaraguan fishermen who were taken into custody last week following the seizure of more than 450 pounds of ganja in New Works, Bluefields, Westmoreland.
The men — 32-year-old Jose Torres, 32-year-old Mario Benjamin, and 28-year-old Jefferson Cooper, all of Santa Rosa, Nicaragua — were charged on Wednesday with possession of ganja, dealing in ganja, taking steps preparatory to export ganja, and conspiracy.
Their court dates are currently being finalized.
According to reports, around 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 8, the Westmoreland police conducted an operation at a premises where the men were found with nine knitted bags containing 70 parcels of compressed ganja.
The illicit drug weighed 484 pounds and has an estimated street value of $3.9 million, according to the police.
The men were subsequently arrested and later charged.
Follow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.