Three Colombians charged in Jamaica’s largest-ever cocaine seizure

Three Colombian nationals have been charged in connection with what authorities say is Jamaica’s largest single cocaine seizure, valued at approximately $1.7 billion.

The accused are Lucio Henry, 39, of San Andres; Arith Lopez, 34, of Barranquilla; and Klein Sinclair, 22, of Providence, all in Colombia. They face multiple charges, including possession, dealing, trafficking, importing cocaine, conspiracy to traffic, and illegal entry.

According to the Firearms and Narcotics Investigations Division (FNID), the arrests stem from a coastal interception on March 21 off Alligator Pond, St. Elizabeth. Around 4:10 a.m., the Jamaica Defence Force stopped an unnamed fishing vessel offshore, finding the three men aboard with 99 knitted bags containing cocaine.

The vessel and its cargo were escorted to the Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard base in Port Royal before being handed over to FNID investigators. Police said the bags contained more than 2,400 parcels of cocaine, weighing over 6,000 pounds.

Director of FNID, Superintendent of Police Patrae Rowe, described the seizure as evidence of a “consistent collaborative approach” to disrupting the illegal drug trade, noting that operational strategies and stakeholder engagement are yielding results.

The accused were formally charged on March 31 after being interviewed in the presence of legal counsel and an interpreter. They are scheduled to appear before the Kingston and St. Andrew Parish Court on April 7.