Key Takeaways
- Roderick Spence, a 56-year-old man from St James, faces multiple charges related to a major drug seizure at Kingston Freeport Terminal.
- Law enforcement found 103 parcels of cocaine and 123 parcels of ganja during the operation on August 7, valued over $71 million.
- David Smith, a project manager, has been charged with embezzlement linked to a roofing company after a customer reported losing money for materials never delivered.
- Smith allegedly received US$3,700 for roofing materials but failed to provide them, leading to a police report and his subsequent arrest.
- Law enforcement have scheduled both suspects are scheduled to appear in court in September and October, respectively, following their charges.
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Law enforcement agents have arrested and charged a St James man in connection with a major narcotics seizure at the Kingston Freeport Terminal in August.
Investigators have identified the suspect as 56-year-old Roderick Spence of Westgate Hill, Montego Bay, in St James.
The charges arise from a joint operation carried out by the Firearms and Narcotics Investigation Division (FNID) and the Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) at the Kingston Freeport Terminal around 4:30 PM on August 7.
During this operation, FNID and JCA personnel inspected a shipping container that was destined for the United States. Their search uncovered 103 parcels of cocaine and 123 parcels of ganja, with an estimated street value exceeding $71 million.
After a month-long investigation, law enforcement identified Spence as the prime suspect and arrested him on Monday, September 7.
Following an interview, investigators charged him with multiple felonies, including:
– Possession of cocaine
– Dealing in cocaine
– Attempting to export cocaine
– Conspiracy to export cocaine
– Possession of ganja
– Dealing in ganja
– Attempting to export ganja
– Conspiracy to export ganja
According to the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), Spence’s arrest marks a significant breakthrough after a series of targeted operations conducted at the Kingston Freeport terminal between August 5 and August 7.
These operations initially led to the arrest of eight individuals and the seizure of over 2,000 kilograms of cocaine, along with a quantity of ganja. The police subsequently released the eight suspects on pre-charge bail while investigations continue.
The authorities have scheduled Spence to appear before the Kingston and St. Andrew Parish Court on Wednesday, September 16.
Half-Way Tree Law Enforcement have charged David Smith with embezzlement
In another incident, detectives from the Half-Way Tree Police Department have charged a suspect with embezzlement in connection with an alleged scheme involving a roofing company on Slipe Road, Kingston.
Law enforcement have identified the accused as David Smith, 42, a project manager of Portmore Gardens, in St Catherine.
According to the Half-Way Tree Police, the complainant allegedly met Smith on Thursday, April 30, 2026, and agreed to purchase roofing materials worth approximately J$600,000.
As a result, the complainant allegedly paid Smith US$3,700,
Between May and August 2026, the complainant made multiple attempts to contact Smith regarding the status of the roofing materials. However, Smith kept making the same excuses for the delay in delivering the roofing materials.
Tired of Smith’s excuses, the complainant visited the company on Friday, September 4, where management informed him that Smith’s employment had been terminated approximately two months earlier.
Additionally, management told the complainant that there was evidence his request had been processed, but no evidence that the company had received any money from him.
Ultimately, the disappointed complainant reported the incident to Law enforcement, and Smith turned himself in on Saturday, September 5.
Law enforcement subsequently charged Smith following a question-and-answer session conducted in the presence of his attorney.
The authorities have scheduled Smith to appear before the Half-Way Tree Parish Court on Friday, October 9.