RECENT DRUG arrests of four farm workers have prompted Canada to implement more rigid security screenings for persons accepted to the overseas employment programme, a move fully supported by Jamaica which has put in new measures of its own.

Labour Minister Horace Dalley and the Canadian High Commissioner, Claudio Valle, agreed, following an urgent meeting yesterday, that "all persons on the programme must go through rigorous screening when they arrive in Canada."

"We are not going to allow anybody to disrupt the programme that benefits over 6,000 Jamaicans working in Canada and their families," said Debbie Tyson, the Labour Ministry's public relations manager.

"This is something we have been trying to avoid but since they have put us there...," she said, the Ministry had no other option.

The new measures came on the heels of four arrests of farm workers by the Jamaican and Canadian police for drug trafficking.

A release from the Ministry of Labour said three of the men were held yesterday at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston as they were about to board a flight to Canada.

CANADIAN AUTHORITIES

The other man was held by Canadian authorities on arrival at the Pearson International Airport in Toronto.

Those arrested in Jamaica have been identified as Antonio Patterson of Penlyne Castle district, St. Thomas; and Anthony Smith and Marlon Tabois, both of Rock River, Clarendon.

The man held in Canada was identified as Devon Patterson of 35 Claremont Garden, Old Harbour, St. Catherine. The Gleaner understands that the men were trafficking liquefied cocaine.

The Labour Ministry also announced that steps have been taken to beef up security and surveillance systems at the Farm Work holding centre in Kingston. Sniffer dogs were immediately brought in, the release said.

Miss Tyson said the police will now be escorting the buses transporting workers to the airport after they have undergone security checks at the holding centre.

Farm workers will now be allowed to take items of clothing only in their luggage.

In addition, "the Minister has said that the communities identified ­ Rock River, Old Harbour and Penlyne Castle District ­ will be banned from the programme."