Customs busts $146M cocaine shipment

The Customs Department is reporting that 69 packages of cocaine wrapped in cellophane paper were discovered aboard the vessel San Andres in Kingston today.

The find was made by members of the Jamaica Customs Border Protection Team, in collaboration with the Transnational Crime and Narcotics Division of the Jamaica Constabulary Force.

The Customs Department says the contraband which has an approximate street value of $146.6 million was discovered inside an empty 20-foot container destined to Brazil.

The Jamaica Customs Border Protection Team reportedly was reportedly acting on intelligence when it carried out a seven hour operation where a comprehensive search of the vessel and containers was done.

The ship had anchored in the Kingston Harbour yesterday and was monitored until it docked at the Kingston Container Terminal this morning on a voyage from Puerto Cabello, Venezuela.

Jamaica Customs says no one has been arrested in connection with this seizure however investigations are continuing.

radio@gleanerjm.com