Three Jamaicans Remanded After EC$79,000 Marijuana Seizure

Published
Hezekiah Parker Jr. Fined $10,000 for Cannabis Possession
(file photo)

A marijuana seizure valued at nearly EC$80,000 has landed three Jamaican nationals in prison after police allegedly uncovered more than 26 pounds of the drug during a September operation.

Aljermin McLean, 25, Joshua Newton, 21, and Elvis Smith, 54, appeared in court and were jointly charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession with intent to supply and possession with intent to transfer.

Police say the three were implicated following a September 14 sting operation that led to the recovery of 26.4 pounds of marijuana, estimated to be worth approximately EC$79,000.

The men have been remanded to prison and are due back before the court on November 25.

The case comes against the backdrop of growing concerns about the number of non-national inmates at His Majesty’s Prison and alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne recently said Jamaican nationals account for approximately 15 per cent of the prison population. He also raised concerns about what he described as an increase in non-national inmates and alleged links between some of them and narcotics trafficking.

The latest case adds to the ongoing law-enforcement focus on the movement and distribution of illegal drugs in Antigua and Barbuda.

The allegations against McLean, Newton and Smith have not been proven in court. All three are presumed innocent unless and until they are found guilty.

This story was first published by Antigua News on : antigua.news/2026/09/22/three-jamaicans-remanded-after-ec79000-marijuana-seizure. © 2026 Antigua News. Republication without permission is not allowed.

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Cory Wayland

About the author

Cory Wayland is the Social Media Co-ordinator at Antigua.News, where he manages digital content strategy, audience engagement, and real-time news publications across social platforms. With a keen eye for trending topics and a commitment to factual storytelling, Cory plays a key role in shaping the online voice of Antigua.News.

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Comments (13)

  • Informed citizen September 22, 2026, 12:56 PM

    Three Jamaicans in the same case got people talking, especially with all the conversation about non-nationals and crime lately.
    Reply
  • Well-known September 22, 2026, 12:57 PM

    If police keep finding these big shipments, they need to get to the people behind the supply chain too not just whoever gets caught holding it.
    Reply
  • Juju Bee September 22, 2026, 2:17 PM

    I always believe that when you in another person country, you should respect their laws and act accordingly.
    Reply
  • Hmmmm September 22, 2026, 2:34 PM

    One thing Gaston like to harrass them Jamaicans and not those criminals in office
    Reply
  • Anonymous September 22, 2026, 4:57 PM

    I’m Antiguan but do we really have to emphasize the fact that these men are Jamaican? Doesn’t add nor take away anything from the story so why emphasize their nationality? I hate seeing this done to us Antiguans in other countries and I hate seeing it done to Caribbean people in general. This is just gonna reenforce stereotypes.
    Reply
  • Kimberly September 22, 2026, 11:25 PM

    Almost $80,000 worth of weed is crazy. Somebody was definitely planning to make some serious money off that.
    Reply
  • Khan September 22, 2026, 11:26 PM

    I don’t like how these stories always turn into a Jamaican thing. If the men did it, charge them and let the court deal with them. But don’t make it seem like every Jamaican in Antigua is involved in drugs.
    Reply
  • Antigua Surf September 22, 2026, 11:30 PM

    Drugs do not only affect the people who use them. They can bring violence, addiction, broken families and other problems into communities. That is why these cases matter.
    Reply
  • Esther September 22, 2026, 11:31 PM

    Parents have to be concerned when large quantities of drugs are allegedly moving around our country. Our young people are especially vulnerable to the consequences of the drug trade.
    Reply
  • JAMAICANS JAMAICANS September 23, 2026, 2:04 PM

    When are we a give are you ungrateful JamaicanS amnesty bet are you nah say don’t include JAMAICANS BUT WHEN WE CATCH THE CRIMINALS DON’T SAY JAMAICANS, BRUCK DOWN ALL THE SHANTY FOOD SHOPS THAT MAKE ANTIGUA LOOK LIKE POVERTY STRICKEN PLACE THAT (JAMAICANS buildup)
    Reply
  • Just saying September 23, 2026, 2:08 PM

    CHANGE GUNS NAME TO WEED BET WE FIND ALL THE GUNS ON THE STREET 😆 🤣 😂 😹 saying that the drugs taskforce really doing there jobs big up switch to crime taskforce we need help over dey 😆 🤣 😂
    Reply
  • Kyle September 24, 2026, 6:27 AM

    People still haunting people for weed?
    Reply
  • Truth Teller September 26, 2026, 12:35 PM

    Who paid them to bring it? Ask the Syrians.

    Reply

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