ST ANN, Jamaica — Eight American cruise ship passengers who were taken into custody after they allegedly tried to leave Jamaica with US$850,000 worth of cocaine on November 9, were convicted of possession of cocaine and attempting to export cocaine when they appeared before the St Ann Parish Court on Tuesday.

Convicted are:

1. Twenty-two-year-old Jamari Kitchen, a mover of, Pompano Beach, Florida, USA

2. Twenty-three-year-old Kaley Hall, a daycare worker of Deerfield Beach, Florida, USA

3. Twenty-three-year-old Yakine Jones, a student of NW Doctors Plantation, USA

4. Eighteen-year-old Hailey Lawrence, of Sunset Lauderdale, USA

5. Twenty-two-year-old Javonte Johnson, a football player of Deerfield Beach, Florida, USA

6. Twenty-two-year-old Tyshena Brison, of Fort Lauderdale, USA

7. Twenty-seven-year-old Troy Craig, a labourer of Fort Lauderdale, USA

8. Twenty-two-year-old Ta’kayla Hooks, a hairstylist of Pompano Beach, Florida, USA.

Reports are that the eight people disembarked the vessel which arrived in Ocho Rios from Miami, Florida on November 9, 2022.

READ: Eight American cruise ship passengers arrested in US$850,000 drug bust

At about 1:30 pm, they were re-boarding the vessel for departure when anomalies were reportedly detected in their luggage. During a search conducted by members of the Narcotics Division, a total of twenty-four packages containing cocaine weighing just over 17 kilograms (38 pounds) were found concealed in their bags.

They are scheduled to return before the court on Friday, December 02 2022, for sentencing.