SEVERAL large drugs finds in recent weeks lend credence to the theory that the narco-traffickers have stepped up their activities to take advantage of the international dislocation and confusion created by the tragic events in the United States on September 11. The local finds also highlight how much Jamaica has become a part of the international drug trafficking network, a reality that we ignore at our peril.There are aspects of the drug trade that are frightening, particularly the capacity to corrupt the agencies of the state and the ruthlessness that the traffickers display in the furtherance of their interests. Earlier last month the police seized 2,700 pounds of cocaine at Belmont in Westmoreland in what has been described as the largest drug bust in our history, if not in quantity then certainly in value, which was estimated at some $339 million. At the time of the bust there were reports that the police had not recovered all of the shipment, a view which has received confirmation from Superintendent Gladstone Wright of the police narcotics division.
A report in last Thursday's Gleaner quotes Superintendent Wright as saying that the police had not been able to seize all of the cocaine and several hundred pounds are still at large. Evidently the police are not the only ones who have an interest in finding the missing cocaine, who have been described as drug seekers and presumably the owners of the drug are also seeking to recover it.
As a result, according to the news report, the residents of the once peaceful community now fear for their lives. The police have confirmed that they are aware of a "hit list" of persons marked for death for stealing the cocaine and for informing about the shipment. Two persons have already been shot dead. One was killed in front of several witnesses while the other was killed when gunmen went in search of his father and failing to find him killed the son.
We are concerned that what is happening in Belmont seems to be attracting such little national attention. Given the reports we would have expected that the Commissioner of Police would place a special detail in the area if only to give the residents an increased sense of security.
But even them, we must recognise that the police cannot combat the drug menace by themselves, they need every support the public can offer them.
