KINGSTON, Jamaica  — Over $1 billion in illegal drugs has been seized by police since the beginning of the year, according to updates from the Firearms and Narcotics Investigation Division (FNID) .

FNID’s most recent operations, between Monday, December 22 and Friday, December 26,  resulted in the arrest of six people and the seizure of several kilograms of cocaine, which officially pushed the total value of drugs seized by FNID in 2025 past the $1 billion mark.

Acting FNID Director Superintendent Oral Henry said the team’s relentless enforcement strategy has been yielding significant results.

“As of Saturday, December 27, we have seized 1,380 kilograms of cocaine since the start of the year, valued at over J$825 million; 33,145 kilograms of ganja valued at more than J$215 million; and more than 14,000 synthetic drugs valued at over J$28 million. By removing these drugs from our nation’s streets, we are disrupting the financial lifeline of organised crime syndicates to the tune of more than J$1 billion,” he said.

In addition FNID says it has achieved an 88 per cent conviction rate so far this year.

“Our impact is not just measured in the volume of narcotics seized, but in our conviction rate. We are sending a clear message to traffickers that our investigations are precise and our evidence robust,” added Henry.

Police detailed that on December 22, at approximately 6:10 pm, FNID personnel conducted a security check at the Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA).

During the check-in process for a flight destined for London Gatwick Airport in England, a suitcase belonging to 40-year-old Ashraf Uddin, a British national, was searched, and six parcels containing cocaine weighing 17 pounds were found concealed in a blanket. The estimated street value of this seizure is J$4.6 million.

Uddin was taken into custody and charged with possession of cocaine, dealing in cocaine, attempting to export cocaine and conspiracy to export cocaine.

Earlier that evening, about 6:00 pm, FNID teams intercepted a vehicle in Claremont, St Ann.

A search of the vehicle was carried out, and rectangular parcels containing seven pounds of cocaine were found.

The driver, 30-year-old Jemar Briscoe, was arrested. He was later charged on Saturday, December 27, with possession of cocaine, dealing in cocaine, trafficking cocaine and conspiracy. That seizure had an estimated street value of J$1.9 million.

Simultaneously, on December 22, FNID personnel conducted another operation at a premises in Irons Mountain, Claremont.

During the operation, 35-year-old Shanette Briscoe, a shop operator, was arrested after police discovered a quantity of ganja in her bedroom. She was charged with possession of ganja and dealing in ganja.

About 3:00 pm on Friday, December 26, members of the St Mary Police Division intercepted a Toyota Voxy motor car on the Quebec main road, with three men aboard.

A search of the vehicle was carried out, during which three parcels containing eight pounds of cocaine were seized.

FNID personnel were alerted, and all three men were arrested on reasonable suspicion.

Their identities are being withheld pending further investigations.