Illegal drug trade in Jamaica has suffered a major blow due to an aggressive campaign against major players by local and overseas law enforcement efforts, says a senior police officer. Superintendent Carlton Wilson of the Jamaica Constabulary Force's narcotics division credits last year's apprehension of key drug traffickers for this decline.
"The fact that so many of them were arrested last year caused a reduction in the supply (of illicit drugs)," Superintendent Wilson told The Sunday Gleaner last week. "We find that couriers have returned to old methods of bringing in drugs, like in their luggage."Among the alleged drug dealers held in joint operations by local law enforcement officers and agents from the United Kingdom, were Lebert Ramcharan and Donovan Williams of Montego Bay, and Norris 'Dedo' Nembhard of Ocho Rios.
The three were arrested in March. Ramcharan and Williams were ordered extradited to the U.S. in June to face drug trafficking charges. They have appealed the ruling.
On Thursday, the United States Department of the Treasury issued a statement prohibiting American nationals from conducting "financial and commercial" transactions with companies owned by Ramcharan. It also said it would freeze any assets Ramcharan had in the U.S.
In 2004, Ramcharan and Nembhard were among 48 drug kingpins named by United States President George W. Bush as operating in the Caribbean and Latin America.
Mr. Wilson says the police continue to make inroads into the illegal drug trade. He reported that the north coast remains the main habitat for traffickers though there are smaller 'pushers' in Kingston.
ARRESTS AT AIRPORTS
Several arrests have been made at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston and the Donald Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay. While many of the offenders have been charged, he would not disclose their names.
During January and February, Superintendent Wilson says 1,160 persons were arrested for drug-related offences. Of this amount, 1,136 are Jamaicans, 1,077 of them Jamaican males and 59 Jamaican women.
According to police figures, 24 foreign nationals have been arrested.
