Jamaica-Gleaner.com: Two senior gov’t employees arrested in cocaine bust at Sangster airport – January 17 2026

Credit Source: Jamaica-Gleaner.com

The Jamaica Constabulary Force is reporting that two senior government employees, a man and a woman, were arrested on Friday at the Sangster International Airport in St James after cocaine valued at more than $5 million was allegedly found in secret compartments in their luggage.

Further, the police say that the man reportedly told cops that he also ingested more than 70 pellets of cocaine.

Additionally, the police report that a subsequent search of both the houses of the persons was conducted and that the operation yielded a Glock 19 pistol, 13 rounds of ammunition, and an ounce of cocaine.

Their identities are being withheld by the police pending further investigations.

According to the police, around midday on Friday, both individuals were intercepted by Port Security and the Firearms and Narcotics Investigation Division (FNID) at a security checkpoint while attempting to board a flight bound for New York.

During a search of their luggage, officers discovered several false compartments containing rectangular packages of cocaine weighing 9.25 kilograms, police said.

The illicit drug has an estimated street value of $5.4 million.

A search of a handbag also yielded a sum of cash in US currency, police added.

Following the airport arrests, FNID officers conducted secondary operations at the residences of both suspects, where a Glock 19 pistol, 13 rounds of ammunition, and an ounce of cocaine were found.

The police also said one of the suspects revealed that he had ingested more than 70 pellets of cocaine.

He has since been admitted to a medical facility under police guard.

FNID Director Superintendent Patrae Rowe said the police have intensified operations to nab perpetrators involved in the illegal firearms and narcotics trade.

“This operation underscores the intensified investigations by the Jamaica Constabulary Force to maintain the integrity of our borders and hold all individuals accountable, regardless of their professional standing or social status. We are continuing our mission to further dismantle the networks that facilitate the trafficking of illicit drugs and firearms,” Rowe said in a statement on Saturday.

Investigations into the seizure are ongoing.