AN American man was detained by Customs officers at Norman Manley International Airport and subsequently arrested by law enforcement officers on Tuesday, after he allegedly attempted to smuggle an undisclosed quantity of ganja into the country.

A news release from Jamaica Customs said the man, whose identity is being withheld pending ongoing investigations, was also found in possession of a large quantity of marijuana-laced edibles concealed in his luggage.

The man had arrived on a flight from Florida. Customs officers became suspicious when scanning equipment revealed anomalies in his luggage, leading to a subsequent and thorough inspection during which the drugs and edibles were uncovered, Customs said.

Pointing to the incident early last month when more than 60 Ocho Rios Primary School students were rushed to hospital after eating sweets containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a major psychoactive component in marijuana, Customs CEO/Commissioner Velma Ricketts Walker said, “We commend the efforts of our Customs officers whose actions have ensured that these THC products will not find their way into our homes or schools, safeguarding our children and other innocent consumers from potential adverse effects.

“We are urging travellers to leave THC products behind when travelling to Jamaica as they will be subject to Customs control and enforcement actions,” Ricketts Walker warned.