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Two parish council officials charged in cocaine bust at Sangster airport
Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, St James. Joint efforts by operator MBJ Airport Limited and the Ministry of Tourism are driving new airlift from South America, Europe, and the Caribbean. .
Latest News, News
January 20, 2026

Two parish council officials charged in cocaine bust at Sangster airport

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Detectives assigned to the Firearms and Narcotics Investigation Division (FNID) have charged two municipal officials following the seizure of approximately 20.5 pounds of cocaine at the Sangster International Airport on Friday, January 16.

READ: Two gov’t employees arrested in cocaine bust at Sangster airport

Charged are 40-year-old Trevon Clayton, chief financial officer at the St Ann Municipal Council, who resides in Falmouth, Trelawny, and 42-year-old Latoya Hemmings, senior managing accountant at the Trelawny Municipal Council of Spicy Hill, Trelawny.

Reports from FNID are that about midday, Clayton and Hemmings, who were traveling together, checked in for a flight destined for New York.

During a security screening, the two were accosted, searched and packages of cocaine were found in the luggage belonging to both individuals. A sum of cash in US currency was also seized from Hemmings’ handbag.

Both were detained and Clayton subsequently admitted to ingesting cocaine pellets. He was transported to hospital where he remains under police guard after expelling 82 pellets of cocaine.

On Monday, Hemmings was formally charged with possession of, dealing in, and attempting to export cocaine (multiple counts), conspiracy, possession of criminal property, possession of cocaine, dealing in cocaine and attempting to export cocaine (multiple counts) and conspiracy.

Additional charges are pending as Clayton remains under medical observation.

Hemmings is scheduled to appear before the St James Parish Court on Friday, January 23, 2026, while Clayton’s court date is being finalised.

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charged cocaine bust Sangster International Airport
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