In a dramatic turn of events focusing on one of Jamaica’s most significant drug enforcement actions, five men accused in a staggering $12 billion cocaine seizure in Havendale, St Andrew, appeared before the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Wednesday. The group, comprising Clive Roy Davis (57), Collin Ricketts (58), George Sterling (51), Clayton Peart (42), and Junior Haldane (72), have all been remanded and are scheduled to reappear in court on October 9, 2024.
Charges and Arrests
Each of the defendants faces serious charges including possession of cocaine, dealing in cocaine, and trafficking cocaine. The men were apprehended during a coordinated police raid on August 6, 2024. The operation, deemed one of the most substantial drug busts in Jamaica’s history, was executed by the Firearms and Narcotics Investigation Division (FNID) with aid from several units within the Counter Terrorism and Organised Crime Investigation Division.
The Operation
Authorities conducted the operation at a Havendale premises, where police detained the five men and discovered several knitted bags suspected of containing cocaine. Subsequent analysis confirmed the substance to be cocaine, with a total weight of 2,526.4 kilograms and an estimated street value of US $75,792,000.
Legal Proceedings
Following their detention, all five suspects were interviewed in the presence of their legal counsel before being formally charged. Their remand until the upcoming court date signifies the start of extensive legal proceedings in what could become a landmark case in Jamaica’s ongoing battle against drug trafficking and organised crime.
Historical Significance
This incident marks a significant milestone in the history of narcotics enforcement in Jamaica. The unprecedented street value of the seized drugs underscores the severity and scale of cocaine trafficking issues facing the island.
As the October 2024 court date approaches, the nation watches closely, reflecting on the implications of this record-breaking case for future anti-narcotics operations and broader criminal justice pursuits in Jamaica.
