Five Jamaican nationals were detained following the Jamaica Defence Force coast guard’s interception of a vessel transporting approximately 1,869 pounds of marijuana, off the coast of St. Thomas, yesterday.

In a statement, the JDF says the vessel was initially spotted approximately 7 nautical miles, South of Bowden Bay, an area known for illicit trafficking between Jamaica and Haiti.

Several assets were deployed to intercept the vessel.

This resulted in the contraband find and the detention of the five Jamaican nationals, who were on board.

The JDF says the vessel, detainees, and the marijuana were transported to Port Morant to facilitate their hand over to investigators assigned to the Jamaica Constabulary Force Narcotics Division.

It says the compressed marijuana has a street value of more than JM$18 million.

The JDF notes that the seizure has prevented the possibility of a significant number of illegal weapons returning to Jamaica’s shores.

This as, it says, the drug-for-guns trade between Jamaica and Haiti continues to be one of the main sources of illicit firearms for gangs within Jamaica.

The JDF says it remains relentless in its conduct of counter illicit trafficking and other operations, to protect Jamaica’s borders and the blue economy.