The special units and divisions of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) are reporting significant successes in 2021 in disrupting the drug trade and clamping down on corruption.

As outlined in the Planning Institute of Jamaica’s Economic and Social Survey Jamaica 2021 edition, during the year, the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Task Force (MOCA) conducted 18 operations, which led to the arrest of 26 people. A breakdown of the arrests show that six were for breaches of the Law Reform (Fraudulent Transactions) (Special Provisions) (Amendment) Act; four for breaches of the Corruption Prevention Act; three each for obtaining money by false pretence and for breaching the Proceeds of Crime Act and the Dangerous Drugs Act; two for forgery; one each for fraud, and breaches of the Larceny Act; and three for “other” crimes.

Also during the year, the Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime Investigation Branch (C-TOC) conducted 383 operations and 323 raids. These resulted in the arrest of 544 people, of which, 364 were charged.

A total of 57 firearms, 1,727 rounds of ammunition and 14 stolen motor vehicles were recovered by C-TOC. There were a number of seizures, which included intellectual property valued at $102.3 million; cash from proceeds of crime totalling $12.8 million and US$25, 751; and other cash seizures of $15.8 million, US$19 200 and £2 280. A total of 115 court cases originating from C-TOC, were disposed of during the year. Of the 115 cases disposed, 83 were by way of conviction.

Meanwhile, the Narcotics Division carried out 1,516 operations and seized 32 038.4 kg of marijuana, 22.8 per cent less than the 41 519.6 kg seized in 2020 and 1 220.6 kg of cocaine which was 242.0 per cent more than the 356.9 kg seized in 2020.

The value of the marijuana seized was $320.4 million and the cocaine was valued at $1.5 billion. A total of 302 people were arrested, with 287 of them being Jamaican and 15 foreign nationals. Of those arrested, 195 were for marijuana with six being foreign nationals. Another 90 people were arrested for cocaine possession with four being foreign nationals.

Two persons were arrested for possession of ecstasy tablets and 15 for other breaches. There were 125 cases brought before the courts, of which 115 resulted in convictions and ten acquittals. Drug interdiction exercises were conducted on a daily basis at the island’s two major airports and seaports and 235.0 kg of the total amount of cocaine seized and 1 131.7 of the total amount of marijuana seized was as a result of these exercises.

Additionally, 199.8 hectares of marijuana was eradicated during the period. The Narcotics Division continued its efforts to reduce the public desire for illegal and illicit drugs by conducting over 137 Demand Reduction lectures and presentations islandwide, through which 4,862 individuals were sensitised.