Five Men Charged After Drug Bust at Bowden Wharf in St Thomas

Five men have been charged under the Dangerous Drugs Act after authorities seized approximately 1,832 pounds of compressed ganja at the Bowden Wharf in St Thomas during a December 20 operation.

The operation was a coordinated effort between the Firearms and Narcotics Investigation Division (FNID) and the Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard.

The accused men are:

• Moses Pitt, 48

• Rusheyne Drummonds, 22

• Preston Stephens, 38

• Andre Barracks, 38

• Anthonio Pitt, 50

According to the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Corporate Communications Unit, members of the Coast Guard intercepted a canoe carrying the men near Bowden Wharf. Upon inspection, multiple bags containing the contraband were reportedly found in their possession.

The men were charged with multiple offenses, including:

• Possession of ganja

• Dealing in ganja

• Trafficking ganja

• Taking steps preparatory to export ganja

• Conspiracy to traffic ganja

The accused appeared before the St Thomas Parish Court on Friday, where they were remanded in custody. They are scheduled to reappear in court on January 28.

Senior Superintendent of Police Samuel Blake, who heads the FNID, praised the collaborative efforts of the agencies involved. “The joint efforts of the FNID and the Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard demonstrate the commitment of Jamaican law enforcement agencies to combat drug trafficking and related crimes,” he stated.

Blake further emphasized that the FNID will continue working with both local and international partners to identify and prosecute those involved in drug and gun trafficking.