Jamaican defense forces have executed a major counter-narcotics operation resulting in one of the largest drug seizures in the nation’s history. The Maritime Air and Cyber Command interdicted a high-speed vessel approximately 10 nautical miles southeast of Treasure Beach, St Elizabeth, on Saturday.
During routine coastal patrols, the First District Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard detected a suspicious go-fast boat heading toward the Jamaican mainland. After intercepting the vessel, personnel conducted a boarding and search operation that revealed an enormous contraband shipment.
The comprehensive search yielded 99 individually wrapped packages containing cocaine with a total weight of 2,544.404 kilograms—equivalent to over 2.5 metric tons. Authorities additionally confiscated eighteen fuel drums, three outboard engines, and various narcotics trafficking equipment. The illicit cargo possesses an estimated street value of approximately $1.4 billion.
Three individuals aboard the vessel were taken into custody and subsequently transferred to the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Firearms and Narcotics Investigation Division (FNID) for questioning and potential charges.
The Jamaica Defence Force characterized the operation as demonstrating their resolute dedication to safeguarding national sovereignty and combating transnational organized crime networks. The successful interception highlights intensified collaboration between Jamaican security agencies and international partners to secure maritime territories, reinforce border integrity, and disrupt criminal enterprises that jeopardize regional security and economic stability.
This seizure represents a significant blow to narcotics trafficking operations in the Caribbean region and underscores the growing capabilities of Jamaica’s naval and cyber command units in addressing sophisticated criminal activities at sea.