A Colombian national is among three men charged following the seizure of more than a tonne of cocaine off Jamaica’s southern coast in a major maritime drug bust last week.

The accused are 48-year-old Jonothan Daluqua Latarda, a fisherman of Riohacha, Colombia; 48-year-old Delbert Passelle, also known as “Glen,” a boat captain from Lucea in Hanover; and 42-year-old Leroy Donovan Holding, also known as “Bud,” a fisherman from 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 also faces an additional charge of illegal entry.

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

Authorities said the team seized 37 knitted bags containing 1,053 rectangular parcels of a substance resembling cocaine, with a total weight of approximately 1,172.4 kilogrammes. 

The seizure is estimated to be worth about JMD$703 million (JMD$157.96 = USD$1).

The three men were detained on suspicion of breaching the Dangerous Drugs Act, and the vessel, along with the seized contraband, was escorted to the JDF Coast Guard base at Port Royal in Kingston.

Personnel from the Firearms and Narcotics Investigation Division (FNID) processed the scene, with forensic investigators examining and documenting the contents of the bags in the presence of the accused.

Police said buccal swabs were taken from the men on April 29 while they were in custody at the Kingston Central Police Station, after which they were formally charged.

They are scheduled to appear before the Corporate Area Criminal Court on May 7 at 10 am.