Cops say St Thomas is a drug-trafficking hub

Intelligence gathered by the police suggests that the frequency of drug busts in St Thomas is largely due to the parish's proximity to Haiti, according to Acting Senior Superintendent of Police Patrae Rowe, director of the Firearms and Narcotics Investigation Division.

Rowe explained to THE STAR that St Thomas and neighbouring parish Portland "have been our most problematic areas in terms of the transshipment of drugs".

"We have shown that both parishes, and Westmoreland to a lesser extent, represent launching points for ganja to Haiti," Rowe said. His comments follow two major seizures in St Thomas in just over a week. On September 26, police intercepted two motor cars on Pamphret main road, seizing more than 1,600 pounds of compressed ganja. Two men, identified as Rayon Chambers of Whitehouse, Westmoreland, and Tekashi Foster of Slipe, St Elizabeth, were arrested and charged. Then on September 21, cops seized more than 1,900 pounds of ganja and a boat in Dumfries.

Rowe noted that while the coastline provides opportunities for traffickers, the real factor is geography.

"I think it's a matter of proximity to Haiti... when people are coming in from Haiti they normally arrive in Portland, and that has to do with that side of the island being close to Haiti. The population of Haitians in that side of the island is also reflective of the traffic of people and activities from Haiti to Jamaica through those parishes," he said.

Despite ongoing busts, Rowe admitted that it's a tough battle.

"The JDF and JCF combined have sought to have controlled coastlines. The JCF has a presence in St Thomas, they have a marine outpost there, JDF Coast Guard has an active presence, the US Coast Guard outside of Jamaica's coastline has a presence, and they have been doing some interception in recent times," Rowe told THE STAR.

But traffickers are not amateurs. According to Rowe, fishermen often use their intimate knowledge of the seas to outwit patrols.

"Sometimes you have instances of fisherfolks studying the patrol pattern of police and coast guard and finding ways to manoeuvre. A lot of the transshipment takes place late at night... night transshipment reduces visibility on the seas," he explained.

According to the 2024 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, Jamaica remains the largest Caribbean supplier of cannabis to the United States, with the illicit trade valued in the billions globally. Local authorities continue to link drug smuggling to the illegal guns-for-drugs trade, which fuels violence in several communities.

Still, Rowe insists that law enforcement agencies are tightening the net.

"It's not for a lack of effort on the part of the police," he said. "But as you can appreciate, Jamaica is an island, and there are a number of entry and exit points."