Haitian nationals charged in $9.3m ganja bust
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Two Haitians, who were among five people arrested by members of the Firearms and Narcotics Investigation Division (FNID) following the seizure of more than 3000 pounds of ganja in Toms River last Friday, have been formally charged.
They are 27-year-old Shelande Dorelien, a vendor of Lafolie, Haiti and 25-year-old Wisler Laveis of Aux Cayes, Haiti.
They were charged with two counts each of possession of ganja, dealing in ganja and taking steps preparatory to export ganja. They were also charged with trafficking ganja, conspiracy to export ganja and illegal entry.
Charged earlier this week in relation to the same incident were 50-year-old Heron Brown, a farmer of Burton district, St Elizabeth; 30-year-old Wade Richards, a vendor of Thompson Pen, St Catherine; and 28-year-old Delroy Wilson of Margarets Bay, Portland. They were each charged with two counts of possession of ganja, two counts of dealing in ganja, two counts of taking steps preparatory to export ganja, two counts of trafficking ganja, and conspiracy to traffic ganja.
READ: Three charged in $9 million ganja seizure
Reports are that about 9:00 pm on July 18, members of FNID’s special operations team intercepted two motor vehicles in Toms River at the border of St Mary and St Andrew. One of the vehicles was occupied by Wilson and the Haitian nationals, while the other vehicle was occupied by the other men, the police said.
A thorough search of the vehicles uncovered more than 350 parcels of ganja, with an estimated street value of $9.3 million.
The police said since the start of the year over 40,000 pounds of ganja have been seized valued at $121 million. Additionally, more than 1,700 pounds of cocaine, valued more than $405 million have been intercepted, the police said.
They are appealing to citizens to share information on illegal drugs and firearms by contacting FNID at 876-923-6184, Crime Stop at 311, the National Intelligence Bureau at 811, the police 119 emergency number or the nearest police station.