The Guns for Drugs trade is on the increase -That is the information confirmed by the Marine Police who say that local waters continue to be used to carry out illicit activities. It comes on the heels of the 2019 US 2019 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report.
It has identified Jamaica as the largest Caribbean source country of Marijuana and a significant transit point for cocaine trafficked from South America to North America and other international markets.
It goes further to state that significant cocaine seizures at or near the Port of Kingston reached Jamaica via commercial shipping containers from Central and South America. Likewise, they have noted that small fishing vessels and speed boats are carrying marijuana to Haiti, the Cayman Islands, and the Bahamas as a part of what they have described as the thriving guns for ganja (marijuana) trade.
This remains an issue for the local marine police who have been attempting to clamp down on the illicit activities- but with only some degree of success. While a number of persons have been arrested and charged for this illicit activity, the practice of using local waters as a channel for the guns for drugs trade continues.
However, the Acting Operators Officer of the marine division says they are working to control the issue. There have been several recent arrests in connection to the guns for drugs trade.
