Swallowed the evidence! Man allegedly admits to swallowing 82 pellets of cocaine to smuggle to New York

What began as a routine airport check-in for a New York-bound flight quickly turned into a major drug bust after a senior municipal official allegedly admitted to swallowing 82 pellets of cocaine in a bold smuggling attempt at Sangster International Airport.

Detectives assigned to the Firearms and Narcotics Investigation Division (FNID) have charged two municipal officials following the seizure of approximately 20.5 pounds of cocaine at the airport on Friday, January 16, 2026.

Charged are 40-year-old Trevon Clayton, Chief Financial Officer at the St Ann Municipal Council and resident of Falmouth, Trelawny, and 42-year-old Latoya Hemmings, Senior Managing Accountant at the Trelawny Municipal Council of Spicy Hill, Trelawny.

Reports from FNID state that about midday, Clayton and Hemmings, who were travelling together, checked in for a flight destined for New York. During security screening, the two were accosted and searched, and packages of cocaine were reportedly found in the luggage of both individuals. A sum of US currency was also seized from Hemmings' handbag.

Both were detained, and Clayton later admitted to ingesting cocaine pellets. He was transported to hospital, where he remains under police guard after expelling 82 pellets of cocaine.

On Monday, January 19, Hemmings was formally charged with possession of cocaine, dealing in cocaine, attempting to export cocaine (multiple counts), conspiracy, and possession of criminal property.

Clayton has been charged with possession of cocaine, dealing in cocaine, attempting to export cocaine (multiple counts), and conspiracy. Police say additional charges are pending as he remains under medical observation.

Hemmings is scheduled to appear before the St James Parish Court on Friday, January 23, 2026, while Clayton's court date is being finalised.

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