A 37-YEAR-OLD self-described "pastor" from the United Kingdom is among 11 persons hospitalised and placed under police guard, on suspicion of ingesting scores of pellets of cocaine.
According to Cpl. Dahlia Garrick of the CCN, up to noon yesterday, the police had retrieved 377 pellets of cocaine passed out by the swallowers. Reports are that the "pastor" had passed out 14 pellets up to late yesterday.
None of the suspects had been charged up to press time last night.
On Tuesday, six persons suspected of ingesting the drug were taken off a flight at the Norman Manley International Airport, east Kingston. They were on their way to the United Kingdom. Two were released after the police were satisfied that they had not ingested any drugs.
The narcotics police struck again on Wednesday removing seven more passengers from a flight bound for the United Kingdom. Of the 377 pellets retrieved so far, 266 were from the seven persons held on Wednesday.
Since the start of the year 22 swallowers or drug mules have been arrested by the police.
Senior Supt. Carl Will-iams, head of the Narcotics Division, said the success was based on "improved methods and more focus."
Narcotics detectives said the flood of persons attempting to smuggle narcotics drugs into the United Kingdom was largely due to the high price being paid there for cocaine.
A Jamaican does not need a visa to travel to the UK, unlike to the United States.
Persons are reportedly being paid up to $300,000 per trip to ingest pellets of cocaine and smuggle them into the UK.
More than 1,500 Jamaicans who attempted to smuggle drugs into the United Kingdom are serving or have served prison terms there during the last few years, while scores more are awaiting trial.
