UPDATE | Two Haitians held in $9.3-million ganja bust charged

The two Haitians who were among five persons held following the seizure of ganja worth approximately $9.3 million in Toms River, St Andrew, have now been charged.

They are 27-year-old vendor Shelande Dorelien and 25-year-old Wisler Laveis, according to a police statement.

Both were formally charged with possession of ganja, dealing in ganja, taking steps preparatory to export ganja, trafficking ganja, conspiracy to export ganja, and illegal entry.

Three Jamaican men were charged earlier this week. They are Heron Brown, 50, a farmer from the Burton district in St. Elizabeth; Wade Richards, 30, a vendor from Thompson Pen in St. Catherine; and 28-year-old Delroy Wilson, from Margaret's Bay in Portland.

They were each charged with two counts of possession of ganja, two counts of dealing in ganja, two counts of taking steps preparatory to export ganja, two counts of trafficking ganja, and conspiracy to traffic ganja.

The police say that around 9:00 p.m. on July 18, members of the Firearms and Narcotics Investigation Division’s (FNID) Special Operations Team intercepted two vehicles in the area. One was allegedly occupied by Wilson and the Haitians, while the others were in the second vehicle.

A search reportedly uncovered more than 350 parcels containing over 3,000 pounds of ganja, with an estimated street value of $9.3 million.

Since the start of the year, police say they have seized over 40,000 pounds of ganja, valued at $121 million, and more than 1,700 pounds of cocaine, valued at over $405 million.

The police are appealing to the public to report illegal drug or firearm activity by contacting FNID at 876-923-6184, Crime Stop at 311, NIB at 811, Police 119, or the nearest police station.

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.