Jamaica aims to raise minimum gun sentence to 20 years

Cocaine Seizures in August 2026 The NSC said it also received a briefing from Commissioner of Police, Dr Kevin Blake, on the intensified effort to interdict and seize illegal drugs entering Jamaica. The Jamaica Constabulary Force has seized 8,734. 37 kilograms of cocaine since the start of the year. That amounts to 74 per cent of the 11,852. 01 kilograms seized over the 10-year period between 2016 and 2025, the release noted. The NSC commended the security forces and the Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) for their work in keeping the country safe by finding and recovering illegal drugs, weapons, and other contraband. The NSC noted that, given the effective closure of various drug trafficking routes by US operations in the region, there will be greater attempts to use Jamaica’s geographic location for transshipment.

"It was made clear that we will not allow our country and our sovereign territory to be used for illicit activities," the release stated, adding that Jamaica will continue to intensify its cooperation with international and regional partners and strengthen maritime, air, and port interdiction efforts. Dealer and Demonstration Licence Plates The NSC said it received an update from Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) on its proposed new regime for issuing Dealer and Demonstration Licence Plates, which it said are now being unlawfully used as permission to regularly operate vehicles on public roadways without permanent registration and vehicle identification. "This facilitates scammers and other criminals in the commission of crimes and provides an avenue to evade taxes," the release said. The NSC has directed that the current plates be discontinued and that a new form of temporary vehicle identification be considered for the specific purposes of demonstration or dealer…