September 15, 2026

St. James man charged in connection with drug bust at Kingston Freeport Terminal faces additional charges relating to separate drug seizure

The St. James man charged in connection with the drug bust at the Kingston Freeport Terminal last month is facing additional charges relating to a separate drug seizure last year.

He is 56-year-old Roderick Spence of Westgate Hill, in Montego Bay.

Spence was arrested on September 7, in relation to the seizure of 103 parcels of cocaine, as well as 123 parcels of ganja last month.

The drugs have an estimated street value of 71 million dollars.

The broader three-day operation, conducted from August 5 to August 7, resulted in the seizure of over one billion dollars worth of cocaine and the arrest of eight individuals.

Spence was charged with possession of cocaine, dealing in cocaine, attempting to export cocaine, conspiracy to export cocaine, possession of ganja, dealing in ganja, attempting to export ganja and conspiracy to export ganja.

While Spence remained in police custody, investigators from the JCF’s Firearms and Narcotics Investigation Division laid additional charges against him on Saturday, September 12.

These charges arise from an ongoing investigation into a major narcotics seizure at the Sangster International Airport on March 23, last year.

Reports are that FNID and Jamaica Customs Agency personnel were conducting routine security checks on shipments when they detected anomalies.

A search of the shipment revealed 68 pounds of cocaine.

As a result, Spence has been charged with possession of cocaine, dealing in cocaine, taking steps preparatory to export cocaine, and conspiracy to export cocaine in relation to the 2025 incident.

Spence is scheduled to appear before the St. James parish court on Wednesday, September 30.