Well-known St. Elizabeth businessman Lumsden Ledgister along
with six other men accused in the illicit guns-for-drugs trade between Jamaica and Haiti were remanded when they
appeared before the Half Way Tree Criminal Court on Friday February 1st.
The men, who were picked up last weekend on suspicion of being involved in the illicit trade, were charged earlier this week.
The other accused are businessman Luddy Banton; Felix Dennis; Horace McKenzie; Richard Graham; Kenrick Bennett and Andrew Reid.
They are charged with conspiracy to import guns and ammunition into Jamaica and conspiracy to export ganja.
Members of Operation Kingfish began focusing their attention on the men last May after the Cuban government intercepted a shipment of arms destined to Jamaica.
In statements submitted before the court on Friday, investigators from Operation Kingfish outlined how the men's involvement in the illicit trade.
Investigators alleged that the men have been importing guns, ammunition and explosive devices into Jamaica from Haiti.
They also alleged that in May, a boat with five of the accused left Jamaica for Haiti with a shipment of ganja.
On their attempt to return to Jamaica in July, the boat developed mechanical problems and drifted into Cuban waters.
The Cuban government intercepted the boat and reportedly caught the accused in the act of throwing ten illegal guns overboard.
Quick action by the Cuban authorities reportedly led to the recovery of the weapons.
Dennis, said to have been the Captain of the vessel, was reportedly slapped with a fine for illegal entry into Cuban waters.
Information on the seizure was sent to the Jamaican government by the Cubans.
Following investigations, the men were charged.
Last week spokesman for Operation Kingfish Inspector Steve Brown told RJR News that Ledgister is believed to be the mastermind behind one of the guns for drugs syndicates operating between Haiti and Jamaica.
The seven accused were remanded until February 7th.
The men, who were picked up last weekend on suspicion of being involved in the illicit trade, were charged earlier this week.
The other accused are businessman Luddy Banton; Felix Dennis; Horace McKenzie; Richard Graham; Kenrick Bennett and Andrew Reid.
They are charged with conspiracy to import guns and ammunition into Jamaica and conspiracy to export ganja.
Members of Operation Kingfish began focusing their attention on the men last May after the Cuban government intercepted a shipment of arms destined to Jamaica.
In statements submitted before the court on Friday, investigators from Operation Kingfish outlined how the men's involvement in the illicit trade.
Investigators alleged that the men have been importing guns, ammunition and explosive devices into Jamaica from Haiti.
They also alleged that in May, a boat with five of the accused left Jamaica for Haiti with a shipment of ganja.
On their attempt to return to Jamaica in July, the boat developed mechanical problems and drifted into Cuban waters.
The Cuban government intercepted the boat and reportedly caught the accused in the act of throwing ten illegal guns overboard.
Quick action by the Cuban authorities reportedly led to the recovery of the weapons.
Dennis, said to have been the Captain of the vessel, was reportedly slapped with a fine for illegal entry into Cuban waters.
Information on the seizure was sent to the Jamaican government by the Cubans.
Following investigations, the men were charged.
Last week spokesman for Operation Kingfish Inspector Steve Brown told RJR News that Ledgister is believed to be the mastermind behind one of the guns for drugs syndicates operating between Haiti and Jamaica.
The seven accused were remanded until February 7th.