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Kirk Benjamin, comissioner of customs at the Jamaica Customs Agency, speaks with The Gleaner during an interview at his Kingston office recently.
Updated 4 hours ago Edmond Campbell/Senior Staff Reporter

Cards of crime - Customs cracks down on new strategy used by scammers, others to smuggle proceeds of illicit activities into island

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) Kirk Benjamin has revealed that the state body has seized 195 international credit and debit cards sent to Jamaica from overseas between January and August this year. The Customs boss contended that many persons allegedly involved in illegal activities sent back the proceeds of crime loaded on international credit and debit cards. He told The Gleaner the cards that have been confiscated by Customs seldom have owners, as no one turns up to collect them.

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Superintendent Andrew Nish.
13 Oct, 2026 0

Bad roads help cops nab suspected poker box thieves

WESTERN BUREAU: Four men suspected of being behind a spate of poker box thefts in Hanover are now in custody after pieces of gaming equipment were found in their possession during a police operation…
From left: James E.D. Rawle, executive chairman of LASCO Affiliated Companies; Dr Kevin Blake, commissioner of police; and Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn (right), minister of state in the Ministry of National Secutrity and Peace, present the LASCO JCF Chairman’s
13 Oct, 2026 0

Constable Joel Robinson named top cop

Constable Joel Robinson of the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s (JCF) St Catherine North Division walked away with the Chairman’s Award in the the 2026 LASCO, JCF Saluting Our Heroes Awards. Robinson, a…
Hugh Wildman, attorney for Fritz Pinnock.
13 Oct, 2026 0

Judge decries ‘inappropriate things’ taking place in CMU trial

The judge presiding over the oft-delayed fraud trial involving former Education Minister Ruel Reid has indicated that “a lot of inappropriate things” have taken place in the case. Senior Parish Court…
From left: Director of Tourism Donovan White and Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett hold two of Jamaica’s seven awards as they pose or a photo with Graham Cooke, founder and president of the World Travel Awards, at the Princess Grand in Hanover on Sunda
13 Oct, 2026 0

Jamaica’s tourism stature reinforced on world stage

WESTERN BUREAU: World Travel Awards founder and president Graham Cooke has hailed Jamaica’s international tourism standing, noting that the island’s selection to host the Caribbean and Americas awards…
Alliyah Shakeer, director of research at the Caribbean Tourism Organization.
13 Oct, 2026 0

Caribbean tourism growth slows as cruise arrivals surge

WESTERN BUREAU: Caribbean tourism is showing signs of slowing growth, with stayover arrivals increasing by just 1.9 per cent during the first half of 2026, even as cruise passenger visits surged 11…
Carla Moore
13 Oct, 2026 0

Breaking the silence - Carla Moore on fighting to protect her mental health

Carla Moore describes herself as a girl from the Jamaican countryside, rooted in Linstead, St Catherine. She is an artist, activist, academic and dog lover who, by day, works as an assistant lecturer…
From left: Sophia Hamilton-Brown, deputy postmaster-general 1; Post and Telecommunications Department; Carol Saunders-Hammond, senior director, corporate services, Post and Telecommunications Department; Donovan Williams, Minister of State in the Ministry
13 Oct, 2026 0

Jamaica Post marks 355 years, bets on digital future

Jamaica Post is marking 355 years of service while positioning itself for a larger role in Jamaica’s digital transformation as officials seek to modernise one of the country’s oldest public…
Consul General Oliver Mair
13 Oct, 2026 0

‘JAMAICAN, FULL STOP’ - 24 become island’s citizens in New York

Twenty-four new Jamaican citizens, including a two-year-old boy, received their citizenship certificates at a ceremony at the Jamaican Consulate in New York on Friday, October 9. The new citizens came…
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in Jamaica, Dr Kishan Khoday (second right), demonstrates the operation of the Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) drone to Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) Partnership In-Country
13 Oct, 2026 0

Forestry Department gets high-tech monitoring boost

Jamaica’s Forestry Department has acquired advanced drone and data-management technology that officials say will improve the country’s ability to monitor forests, assess environmental damage, and…