Wilson

THE NARCOTICS police are reporting that more people are attempting to smuggle drugs out of the country as the economic crisis deepens.

"Drug-smuggling is a lucrative business and with the economic meltdown, more couriers are trying to move drugs out in small portions," Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Carlton Wilson, head of the Narcotics Division, told The Sunday Gleaner.

The cops have arrested more than 670 persons allegedly involved in drug-smuggling since the start of this year.

That list includes alleged drug courier Tashomer Clarke, who was held last week.

compressed ganja

Reports are that Clarke was nabbed at the Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) last Tuesday with seven pounds of compressed ganja, parcelled out into 10 packages, while en route to Antigua.

"He told the police that the drug was given to him by a port security guard," SSP Wilson told The Sunday Gleaner.

According to the police, all the guards on the shift were called up and Wayne Frater, of a Franklyn Town address, was identified as the guard who had given Clarke the drugs.

When a room at the airport, which the guards occupied, was searched, the police found another 23 pounds of compressed ganja.

Also on Tuesday, reports out of Miami were that United States Customs and Border Protection officials found 3,428 pounds of compressed ganja on a cargo ship, which had left Jamaica days before.

"We are aware of the seizure in Miami, but I cannot make any comment on that now, because the investigation from our side continues," SSP Wilson said.

Indications are, said Wilson, more people are attempting to smuggle drugs through the island's two international airports.

"In light of this, we have implemented some stringent measures to catch the perpetrators," said SSP Wilson.

generate income

Consultant Clinical Psychologist Dr Karen Richards is not surprised by the increase in the number of persons attempting to traffic illegal drugs.

She states that people are feeling the pinch of the economic depression and are going to do other things to generate an income.

"Some may choose drug-smuggling because it is not a brutal crime," commented Richards. "People need to take care of their bills, so they are going to examine other alternatives, and drugs maybe the choice for some of them," said Richards.

The narcotics police display packages of compressed ganja.-File

Drug arrests & seizures

According to police statistics, 7,057 drug smugglers, dealers and users were arrested last year by narcotics detectives.

This was 1,561 more than the 5,496 persons arrested in 2007. The items seized from drug dealers last year included 35,507 kilograms of ganja, 75 motor vehicles and a number of small fishing boats.