作者： admin

Two Jamaican municipal corporation employees remain embroiled in a significant cocaine trafficking case following their court appearance in St James Parish Court on January 27. Trevon Clayton of St Ann Municipal Corporation and Latoya Hemmings, a senior managing accountant at Trelawny Municipal Council, face multiple charges under the Dangerous Drugs Act after authorities discovered cocaine in their possession at an airport security screening.

The incident unfolded when narcotics division officers intercepted the two individuals as they attempted to board a flight to New York. During routine security procedures, screening personnel detected suspicious packages subsequently identified as cocaine within both travelers’ luggage. The situation escalated when Clayton reportedly confessed to having ingested additional cocaine pellets, leading to his immediate hospitalization where medical staff documented the expulsion of 82 drug-filled pellets.

While both defendants were initially detained, their legal circumstances have diverged. Hemmings secured conditional release last week on humanitarian grounds related to a medical condition, posting $750,000 bail with requirements to surrender travel documents and report weekly to Duncans Police Station. Clayton remains in custody pending a bail application scheduled for the next hearing on February 4. The case continues to develop as Jamaican authorities pursue serious drug trafficking allegations against the municipal employees.

Jamaican dancehall performers Kiprich and Kizzy Don have achieved a critical milestone in their medical journey as their prematurely born daughter, Miracle, has been successfully transported to an advanced medical facility in Colombia. The infant, who arrived unexpectedly early while her parents were on a professional engagement in South America, had been receiving intensive care since birth.

The couple documented this medical transfer through social media, sharing footage of medical professionals carefully coordinating Miracle’s movement via specialized ambulance and aircraft transport. Kiprich expressed profound gratitude to supporters in his video caption, stating: ‘You are worthy, give thanks for all support coming in, keep the prayers up for baby Miracle.’

The situation developed when Kizzy, who had received medical clearance for travel, accompanied her partner to a performance in Colombia. The premature delivery created significant complications, leaving the family facing substantial healthcare challenges abroad. Medical authorities determined that Miracle required specialized neonatal care only available through medical evacuation to the United States, with estimated transfer costs reaching approximately J$40 million (US$250,000).

In response to these financial pressures, the artists initiated a GoFundMe campaign that has currently gathered over US$27,000 toward their target amount. The online fundraising effort has generated widespread community support, with numerous well-wishers contributing both financially and emotionally through prayer messages and encouraging comments.

Those interested in supporting the family’s medical mission can contribute through the official fundraising platform at: https://gofund.me/1f5236235.

Jamaica’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining is preparing to significantly expand its National Animal Identification and Traceability System (NAITS) to include goats in the upcoming financial year. Currently focused exclusively on cattle, this strategic expansion addresses growing concerns about small ruminant theft across the island nation.

Dr. Sophia Ramlal, Acting Chief Veterinary Officer, revealed that while cattle theft remains problematic, anecdotal evidence from farmers indicates even higher rates of goat theft. “Our experience on the ground is that there is a lot of cattle theft, but if you speak to farmers there is more goat theft,” Dr. Ramlal stated, acknowledging the ministry’s awareness of the issue.

The expansion will be implemented through the ministry’s small ruminant program and will require new legislation, which officials are currently reviewing. NAITS, administered by the Veterinary Services Division, represents a comprehensive identification and registration system for Jamaica’s livestock population. The system electronically records detailed information including animal identity, ownership records, geographical location, and movement activity throughout an animal’s lifespan.

Since its inception a decade ago, the system has successfully tagged over 100,000 cattle using visual ear tags accompanied by bovine passports that must travel with animals between establishments. This existing infrastructure has already contributed to reduced theft rates and enhanced food safety and security measures.

Dr. Ramlal emphasized that the system aligns with international best practices, serving five critical functions: establishing proof of ownership, enabling traceability, enhancing biosecurity controls, guarding against theft, and facilitating market access. “If we want to access international markets, a very strong traceability system where there is confidence in what we’re doing locally is that benchmark by which we are measured,” she explained regarding the program’s importance for global trade compliance.

The NAITS program operates under the National Animal and Identification System 2015 Regulations, which currently mandate the marking of bovine animals. The forthcoming expansion to include goats represents Jamaica’s continued commitment to modernizing its agricultural sector and addressing the persistent challenge of praedial larceny that affects farmers nationwide.

The Sydney Pagon STEM Academy in Elim, St Elizabeth, has become the target of a violent agricultural theft, compounding existing challenges from recent natural disasters. On Monday night, armed assailants executed a brazen raid on the school’s premises, making off with seven valuable goats estimated at $500,000 Jamaican dollars.

According to Principal Milbert Miller, the perpetrators discharged firearm rounds to intimidate security personnel during the operation. The stolen livestock included five bucks and two does, among which were breeding animals critically important to the academy’s agricultural program. Miller specifically noted that one buck and one doe had been recently donated by the Ministry of Agriculture to enhance the institution’s breeding stock.

This criminal incident represents a significant setback for the educational facility, which continues to recover from substantial damage inflicted by Hurricane Melissa just three months prior. The hurricane had previously devastated several campus structures, including poultry houses that were essential to the institution’s hands-on STEM curriculum.

The theft not only represents a financial loss but also undermines the academy’s educational mission, particularly affecting students engaged in agricultural science programs. Local authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, though no suspects have been apprehended at this time.