Police seek homeowner who was the subject of 2005 drug extradition request
ST JAMES, Jamaica— The police are seeking a man who was the subject of a drug extradition request by US authorities in 2005, in relation to Tuesday’s massive seizure of US and Canadian currencies in Montego Bay, St James.
The man is reportedly the owner of the Coral Gardens house where the seizure was made.
READ: Nearly $1 billion in cash, cocaine seized in St James
“Two persons have been arrested while the owner of the house, who was the subject of a drug extradition request from the US in 2005, is being sought,” Assistant Commissioner Clifford Chambers, the commanding officer for Area One, said in a brief statement to the media.
Chambers said that the investigation has been extended into the neighbouring parishes of Westmoreland and St Elizabeth, and at one such location, “a quantity of ganja was seized and an arrest made”.
The money was discovered at a three-storey dwelling in Coral Gardens, St James during a pre-dawn operation by the security forces. A motor vehicle, which was intercepted in the vicinity of the house, was searched and 24 pounds of cocaine, valued at $88 million seized. A 46 -year-old businessman whose identity has not been released, was arrested in relation to that seizure and a woman was also arrested in Westmoreland in connection with both seizures.
READ: Major drug bust in St James, Westmoreland
A picture of the money, which was discovered at a house in Coral Gardens, has been circulating on social media. The authorities were, up to late Wednesday night, still counting the foreign currency, and have indicated that it will take significant time to determine the full value.
