Airport employees arrested for cocaine

Three men who work for companies at the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, St James, were arrested in connection with the seizure of three kilograms of cocaine at the facility recently.

They have been identified as: John Morris, Troy Lawrence and Jovan Palmer. That have been charged with possession and dealing in cocaine and taking steps preparatory to exporting cocaine. They are scheduled to appear in the Montego Bay Resident Magistrate's Court tomorow.      

Reports are that on Wednesday, March 30, 2016 three men employed to a catering company were arrested for attempting to export approximately three kilograms of cocaine  in nine meal containers disguised as special meals. The containers were found aboard an aircraft destined for Birmingham, England.  

In a similar but unrelated incident last Sunday, a man was arrested after the car he was driving was stopped and searched on the compound of the airport by police. It is alleged that three kilograms of cocaine was found in a bag inside the car. He is expected to be charged pending further investigations.

The estimated street value of the total amount of cocaine seized is approximately J$8 million.

"It is believed that the cocaine seized was destined to be exported to the United Kingdom and or the US. The police and its many partner agencies will continue to exert the necessary effort to tackle this issue," said Senior Superintendent Calvin Small in-charge of the Narcotics Division.