FNID seizes $30M in drugs and assets two charged in separate busts

A massive drug bust has rocked sections of St Andrew after police seized more than 130 pounds of cocaine, ganja and millions of dollars in assets during coordinated operations, while also intercepting a US national at the airport.

Detectives from the Firearms and Narcotics Investigation Division (FNID) arrested and charged two men following separate operations between April 23 and April 25.

In the first incident, 47-year-old electrician Dwayne Barnett of Norbrook Crescent, Kingston was charged with possession, dealing and using premises for the storage of ganja.

Reports are that about 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, members of FNID's Special Response Unit executed a search warrant at a complex, where they uncovered 55 parcels of cocaine weighing approximately 60.2 kilograms (over 130 pounds).

A follow-up search at Barnett's residence also led to the seizure of five pounds of ganja.

Police also seized more than JM$1 million and over US$1,000, along with four high-end motor vehicles.

A 9mm Glock pistol, two magazines and 34 rounds of ammunition were also seized from a licensed firearm holder at the scene.

Other individuals, including a woman from the Dominican Republic, were questioned and released as investigations continue into the cocaine seizure.

Barnett is scheduled to appear before the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on May 27.

In a separate operation, 49-year-old US national Moroslay Lyken of Brooklyn, New York, was arrested at the Norman Manley International Airport.

About 2:50 p.m. on April 25, Lyken arrived in the island when anomalies were detected in his luggage during routine screening.

A search revealed two pounds of ganja in small parcels, and he was subsequently charged.

He is to appear before the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on May 1.

Director of FNID, Superintendent Patrae Rowe, said the operation forms part of a wider push to dismantle narcotics networks.

"Our resolve is to dismantle narcotics networks across the island... we will continue to use data-driven intelligence to disrupt the financial lifelines of organised crime," Rowe said.

Since the start of the year, police have seized over 4,300 kilograms of cocaine valued at more than JM$2.5 billion, along with more than 11,000 kilograms of ganja valued at $72 million.

Investigations into both incidents are ongoing.