Customs and Border Control (CBC) arrested three persons on Tuesday, 25 June 2019 for various drug offences including importation of ganja. 

On Monday, 24 June 2019 CBC officers at the department’s Courier Section were scrutinizing numerous international packages that had arrived in Grand Cayman. During this clearance process, several packages were selected for inspection, one of which was described as containing clothing and originating from the United States.

Deputy Director of CBC Jeff Jackson, who has responsibility and oversight of the enforcement portfolio, said approximately 11 pounds of ganja was discovered concealed therein.    

The CBC Narcotics Enforcement Team was alerted to investigate the matter and carried out a sting operation along with the RCIPS Drugs and Serious Crime Task Force (DSCTF) officers to track the delivery of the package. 

On Tuesday, 25 June 2019 during the joint CBC and RCIPS operation, a 35 year-old Jamaican man employed as a security officer was arrested for importation of ganja. During the joint operation, the officers also arrested a 45 year-old Jamaican woman and a 23 year-old Jamaican man for possession and being concerned in the importation of ganja.

Deputy Director Jackson said this is the eighth arrest in the past few weeks in relation to contraband detected at the Parcel Post and Courier Section and it clearly demonstrates that officers are doing their jobs effectively when processing parcels and mail at these facilities. “With faster shipping times and the increased volume of packages being shipped each year using these services, dealers attempt to circumvent our controls by using creative methods of concealment to facilitate their illegal shipments,” he said.     

Deputy Director of CBC Kevin Walton who has responsibility and oversight of the Trade and Revenue Portfolio, which includes the Courier and Parcel Post sections said, “It has become a popular trend among dealers to use the postal and courier services to transport contraband which are concealed in cards and harmless-looking packages. Through our proactive efforts we are working very closely on the ground with partner agencies to put additional layers of security in place and we are seeing the results of these increased measures.”

Deputy Director Jackson said investigations are ongoing in relation to this matter.