A man has been charged following the seizure of more than US$500,000 (J$80 million) worth of cocaine at an apartment complex in Charlton Court, St Andrew.

Police report that on January 8, 2025, about 10:50am, its narcotics team acting on information intercepted a Grey Toyota Hiace motor vehicle at the gate of the complex, which led the cops to an apartment where the cocaine was found.

According to the police, a search of the apartment and vehicle uncovered 122 parcels of cocaine, weighing approximately 134 kilograms (295 pounds) valued at over US$500,000.

One suspect, 63-year-old Allan Patrick Constable, a property manager, was taken into custody and charged for several offences under the Dangerous Drugs Act including possession of cocaine; dealing in cocaine; trafficking of cocaine; conspiracy to traffic cocaine; and possession of criminal property.

Police said the substantial seizure is the latest blow to narcotics traffickers and sends a clear message that law enforcement agencies will continue to vigorously pursue and prosecute those involved in illicit activities.

The seizure comes on the heels of another major bust just two days prior, when 42 pounds of cocaine were seized in St James.

In that incident, an intelligence-led anti-narcotics operation was conducted in the vicinity of a hotel in Lilliput, St James, resulting in the arrest of Christopher Keddo, a tour operator of Little London, Westmoreland, and the seizure of several parcels of cocaine.

Keddo has since been charged with the offences of possession of cocaine; dealing in cocaine; taking preparatory steps to export cocaine; conspiracy to export cocaine; trafficking cocaine and possession of criminal property.

In a separate operation, a 58-year-old farmer from St Elizabeth was arrested on Thursday, January 9, 2025, for suspected breaches of the Dangerous Drugs Act. A search of the vehicle he was driving uncovered 2.3 kilograms of cocaine hidden in a black speaker box.

He is identified as George Scott of Lovely Point in St Elizabeth. Scott was charged for possession of cocaine, dealing in cocaine and trafficking cocaine.

The court dates for Constable, Keddo and Scott are being finalised, police said.