KINGSTON, Jamaica — Police charged five in the $12-billion cocaine bust in Havendale, St. Andrew. DCP Bailey announced on Monday, August 19, 2024.
The authorities named the accused Clive Roy Davis, 57, Collin Ricketts, 58, George Sterling, 51, Clayton Peart, 42, and Junior Haldane, 72.
The police charged the men with possession of cocaine, dealing in cocaine, and trafficking in cocaine on Friday, August 16, 2024, after a nine-day delay due to the complexity of the investigation and to make sure all evidence was properly gathered, a delay that sparked public outcry.
The authorities said they interviewed all five in the presence of their lawyers and that they would stay in police custody until their day in court.
The court appearance date for the accused men is yet to be scheduled, and the public will be informed as soon as it is set.
According to the allegations, the police arrested the men on August 6, 2024. Agents from FNID, accompanied by units from the Counter Terrorism and Organized Crime Investigation Branch (C-TOC), a specialized unit that focuses on high-level criminal activities, raided a house at Riverside Drive in Havendale, St. Andrew.
During the three-hour operation, the police seized a significant amount of cocaine, approximately 2,600 kilograms or 5,569 pounds, with a street value of US$75.79 million and two motor vehicles.
Fatal Confrontation: Police Shoot and Kill Man in Ferry, St. Catherine.
ST. CATHERINE, Jamaica: St. Catherine police reported that a police team shot and killed a man during a confrontation. The tragic incident occurred on Sunday in Ferry, St Andrew. The police also seized two illegal guns with 12 rounds of ammunition.
The authorities identified the deceased as Romario
Thompson, 29, an unemployed man from Old Harbour and Point Hill, addresses in St Catherine.
The authorities said the incident occurred at about 3:30 p.m. while a police team patrolled the Ferry district.
The police said officers confronted Thompson, and he engaged them in a shootout.
When the shooting ceased, the police found Thompson suffering from gunshot wounds.
Hospital authorities pronounced Thompson dead on arrival.
Law enforcement officials said the police removed one Beretta pistol and a Sig Sauer 9mm pistol affixed with a magazine containing 12 rounds of ammunition.
The Independent Commission of Investigations has launched a probe into the tragic incident.
St. James Arrest: Man Faces Charges in Firearm Breaches Case
ST. JAMES, Jamaica: Police arrested and charged a St. James man with several breaches of the Firearms Act.
The authorities identified the accused as Ackeem Haughton, 25, from Orange District, St James.
The accused man faces charges of possession of a prohibited weapon, unauthorized possession of ammunition, and dealing in prohibited weapons.
According to the Montego Bay police, at about 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, Aug 18, 2024, a police team conducted a targeted search at a premises in the community.
During the search, the police found a 9mm cartridge inside a couch in a bedroom occupied by Haughton.
A further search of the premises uncovered one Glock 17 pistol with a magazine containing seventeen 9mm rounds.
Also, the police reportedly found seven 9mm cartridges wrapped in a handkerchief inside a black Sound Blast Speaker box.
The police arrested Haughton and later indicted him.
Haughton’s court date is pending.
Alleged intruder shot dead by off-duty cop in Manchester.
MANCHESTER, Jamaica: An off-duty police officer shot and killed a man after he and his accomplice allegedly invaded the policeman’s yard in New Acres Drive, in Mandeville, on Sunday, August 18, 2024.
The police identified the deceased as Hopeton Bryan, 41, a resident and laborer of Somerset district in Manchester.
The authorities stated that at about midnight, the policeman was at his home when he heard his dog barking continuously and went to make checks.
The cop reportedly saw two men, one of whom pointed a firearm at him. And in fear for his life, the police officer allegedly discharged one round from his service pistol in the direction of the culprits.
One of the men reportedly fell, and the other ran. Bryan unfortunately sustained a gunshot wound to the neck.
Sadly, hospital officials pronounced Bryan dead on arrival.
The Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) is probing the incident.