In a powerful demonstration of institutional accountability, Jamaica’s Firearms and Narcotics Investigation Division (FNID) has declared that neither official badge nor military rank provides immunity from legal prosecution. This stern warning follows the recent arrests of both a police detective and a soldier on serious narcotics and firearms charges, signaling an aggressive, unbiased campaign against corruption and organized crime.
Superintendent Patrae Rowe, head of FNID, emphasized the division’s commitment to pursuing all individuals engaged in criminal activities, irrespective of their professional or social standing. “We go where the investigation takes us,” Rowe stated in an interview with the Jamaica Observer, underscoring a philosophy of impartial justice.
The recent cases highlight FNID’s determined approach. Detective Inspector Martin Walker, 51, from the Counter-Terrorism and Organised Crime Branch, was charged with cocaine possession, trafficking, and conspiracy after an alleged seizure of 5.8 kilograms of cocaine in Kingston, valued at approximately $3.5 million. Simultaneously, Odeen Lawrence, a 36-year-old member of the Jamaica Defence Force, was arrested and charged in connection with one of the largest illegal weapons seizures in the country’s history—28 firearms and over 6,000 rounds of ammunition intercepted at the Kingston Logistics Centre in December 2025.
Superintendent Rowe also highlighted FNID’s record-breaking operational performance in 2025, which included the confiscation of 1,201 illegal firearms—the highest in Jamaican history—and over a billion dollars worth of narcotics. The unit boasts a remarkable 95% conviction rate, reinforcing its reputation as one of the most effective branches within the Jamaica Constabulary Force.
Rowe assured the public that FNID continues to collaborate with local and international agencies to target arms and drug traffickers, encouraging citizens to come forward with credible information, confident that it will be pursued rigorously.