A Colombian national is among three men facing multiple drug-related charges, following the seizure of a significant quantity of cocaine off Jamaica’s southern coastline last week.

Charged are 48-year-old Jonathan Daluqua Latarda, a fisherman of Rio Cocha, Colombia; 48-year-old Delbert Passelle, otherwise called Glen, a boat captain of Cove District, Lucea Hanover; and 42 year-old Leroy Holding, otherwise called Bud, a fisherman of Poorman’s Corner, Yallahs in St. Thomas.

All three men have been charged with possession of cocaine, dealing in cocaine, trafficking cocaine, importing cocaine, and conspiracy to import cocaine.

Latarda has also been charged with illegal entry.

The charges stem from a joint operation on Wednesday, April 22 during which members of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) Coast Guard intercepted a vessel approximately 20 miles off Portland Ridge.

Reports indicate that the JDF Coast Guard team was on routine maritime patrol when the vessel was intercepted and the occupants apprehended on reasonable suspicion of breaches of the dangerous drugs act.

The vessel, 3 men and the seized contraband, were escorted to the JDF coast guard base at Port Royal, Kingston, where personnel from the Firearms and Narcotics Investigation Division (FNID) were alerted.

The contents of some knitted bags were examined and documented in the presence of the accused men.

Yesterday, Buccal Swabs were taken from all three men while in custody at the Kingston Central police station.

Director of FNID, Superintendent Patrae Rowe said over 30 bags containing over a thousand parcels of cocaine, worth over $700 million were seized.

The accused men are scheduled to appear before the Corporate Area Criminal Court on Thursday, May 7.