WESTERN BUREAU:
A joint military/police operation in Darliston, Westmoreland, yesterday uncovered a seven-acre marijuana field and more than 4,000lb (1,818kg) of cured ganja, packaged and ready for sale.
Reports are that the team discovered the field approximately 11:00 a.m. during a routine operation. The field, located six miles from the town square, was found in hilly terrain, barely accessible to motor vehicles.
The find is the biggest seizure in the region in several years.
"On our approach, about four men escaped," said Deputy Superintendent Winston Lindo of the Narcotics Headquarters in Kingston.
"We burned the cured weed (ganja), as well as a hut. The entire field will be destroyed in due course."
No arrests were made in connection with the find.
For the first quarter of the year, the narcotics police said they destroyed or seized more than $104 million worth of illegal drugs, in more than 128 raids and operations conducted across the island.
Increase in seizures
According to figures released by the narcotics police in May, while there has been a significant decrease in the seizure of cocaine, ganja hauls have spiked.
Last year 14,428.11kg of ganja were seized while, for the first quarter of this year, the figure is 8,892.016 kilograms.
The United States (U.S.) International Narcotics Control Strategy Report for 2006 described Jamaica as a major transit point for cocaine en route to the U.S. The country was also labelled the largest Caribbean producer and exporter of ganja. The report further said cooperation between U.S. and Jamaican law enforcement agencies is considered excellent in most areas.
