ST CATHERINE, Jamaica — The police have identified and charged a man who they describe as a major player in the illegal drug-for-guns trade after they seized nearly 500 pounds of ganja during an operation in Portmore, St Catherine on Sunday.

He is 34-year-old Gaffi Daley, fisherman of Hellshire, Portmore in St Catherine.

Daley was subsequently arrested and charged with possession of ganja; dealing in ganja; use to conveyance; taking steps preparatory to export ganja and conspiracy.

According to the constabulary’s Corporate Communications Unit (CCU), the ganja, which weighed 490 pounds and is estimated to value more than $1.9 million on the street, was seized when a Toyota Noah was signalled to stop at the intersection of Grange Lane and the Portmore Municipal Boulevard.

The driver, who the police said was the sole occupant of the vehicle, complied and during a search of the car, nine knitted bags containing 43 parcels of compressed ganja were reportedly found.

He is scheduled to appear before the St Catherine Parish Court next Tuesday.