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SSP Stephanie Lindsay, head of the JCF's Corporate Communications Unit
The police have disclosed that Monday's major seizure of cocaine valued at more than $300 million is part of an investigation that started almost one week ago with the arrest of three fishermen.
Some 141 packages of cocaine, weighing one kilogram each, were hidden inside the boat seized from the fishermen on April 6.
Senior Superintendent Stephanie Lindsay, head of the Jamaica Constabulary Force's Corporate Communications Unit, told Radio Jamaica News that the Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard had intercepted the fishermen's boat in the Pedro Banks area when the men claimed they were having difficulty and needed help.
"So, the soldiers took them on their vessel and towed the boat they were on to the Coast Guard headquarters in Port Royal."
However, the men were arrested and charged with breaches of the Fisheries Act after it was discovered that they did not have the proper registration and other documents related to the boat.
The men were offered bail in the St. Andrew Parish Court and given a May 11 return date.
A search of the boat was conducted shortly after their arrest and drums with a liquid substance was found and sent for testing.
SSP Lindsay said a detailed inspection of the boat was carried out on Monday after anomalies were identified.
"They pulled the boat apart and they found the cocaine concealed in some hidden sections of the boat," she revealed.
SSP Lindsay said the investigation has now expanded to include the narcotics division.
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