Heard some visitors were staying at a villa in Calabash Bay and the police came and arrested them for ganja and they were later deported for 12 years?

What villa did the tourist stay in when cops came in and arrested them for ganga? Community info should be shared whether good or bad. Understand they were deported?

We've been told that two tourists were taken away from a guesthouse located in Calabash Bay for possesion of ganga. More than that we are not sure. This information was given to us by a community member so we cannot say what "officially" happened.

Again, let us be careful as to just printing the facts and not rumor. The he said/she said game can harm innocent persons.

for true?

For those who have posted follow ups to this...

Again, this is all rumor at this point. We don't know any specifics about if there was an arrest or where and how it happened.

We're not going to approve anymore messages that don't have facts in them in order to not feed the rumor mill.

Then why publish the original statement and then tell people not to speculate?

Business or pleasure; that's what the immigration form asks. I hope they were not apprehended for pleasure. That may mean Mr Goldings threat still hangs over the herbalists.

Still, more threats, higher price. Underground or overground, it's still cash flow.

Poison for fools, medicine for the wise. Watch who objects.

This makes no sense. Ganja is officially illegal in Jamaica although most tourists and residents don't seem to realize it. To have police bust into a private villa seems way over the top. It is not like these people were out driving and were stopped by the police for driving erratically. I am wondering if this is either false or if it is true that there may have been some sort of vendetta going for reasons we may never know.

We don't know if the police arrested people in a villa or on the street or even on the beach.

We even don't know for sure if anyone was arrested.

And if someone was arrested, we don't know what they were doing....maybe they were trying to stuff duffle bags full of the stuff and take it on a plane which is a lot different than someone being pinched for smoking a likkle sum sumthing on the back porch.

Let us not allow rumour to colour what really happened.

Bottom line, its big big news that a tourist might have been arrested, so that informs us how rare the event is.

It should be pretty easy for someone to find out the facts if they live in Treasure Beach. Is there a police record of some sort? Anyone know the Police Chief/Officer or who made the arrests? Anyone know what villa the tourist were staying in?

I am attempting to find out facts but currently am not in TB myself so please have some patience.

Any info yet? Waiting patiently, but still wondering ..

What I have found out is that is was not the Pedro Plains police but police from Black River who came to the guest house. This may mean it was an issue with Immigration where they stayed longer than what Immigration allows and not the ganga. What I have heard but not from the police directly is they were deported.

I would recommend if you would like further information you can call the Black River Police station and ask. 876-965-9306

What's the big deal, u go to other counties n break the law, police in force it ,no question asked. What's the deal here about calling police to find out about them doing there job.

Love Ja,

I agree. The laws of the country apply to tourist as well. My country (USA) has no problem deporting foreigners who break the law. Jamaica has the right to do it as well.

I just left folks the Black River Police number so if they had any further questions they could ask the police directly.

Trust me, I agree 100% with you Love JA.

Nothing to ask. What number u call in the USA.come on folk.

Just wondering if the police are going to come and arrest me,in the guest house I stay at,for smoking a ganja spliff.. {as per the origional posting}

As a community issue, it would be wise for those that have straight lines to the supe-in-charge to find out and stop the guessing and spin.

Unless it's a national security thing.

[edited by TB.Net]

I can't believe the Black River police would give details on an arrest to anyone who called them. I am not clear on the privacy laws in Jamaica but this seems improper. I would also guess (hope) the police have better things to do than to answer questions about some people who might have been arrested from anyone who calls.

We have a connection through the Parish Council.

I believe that is the role of Jason Henzell. Including encouraging a sustainable community. Transparency time.

Yes?

What is Jason's connection to the Parish Council?

Please tell us.

Also, please tell us the plans you have to encourage sustainable development in the Parish.

Welcome to the forum Parish Council. Good to have you here to participate in our talks.

Ummm has it occurred to anyone that there is a possibility that there is more to the story than meets the eye? Perhaps there are other issues involved with these people and they just happened to also have ganja.

Yes.. that has occurred to me. That is why I have asked for more info twice. The origional posting states" Police came to a villa and arrested tourists for ganga". Tb Net guidlines state no speculating.. therefore it must be true. But what are the facts? and how will this impact me, a tourist who smokes ganga, should I choose to come to TB again? {Please leave Jason out of this}Someone in Tb KNOWS the facts..

I think Treasure Man was mistaken in thinking the Parish Council posted something on this forum. The name the poster chose to use was unfortunate. I believe he or she was merely asking if Jason was on the Parish Council.

It would be good if the real Parish Council would communicate with us here. Is there not a police laison person that was announced a while ago that could give info about the arrest.

Oh geez folks let it go! You really think the police or council are going to post something here about an arrest? Why such interest that folks keep on and on grabbing at straws trying to get an answer. Come on down and go to the police station and ask yourself!

I think the bottom line here is that smoking ganja is, albeit you might be surprised, illegal in Jamaica. We all know it happens all the time...so I would guess that you take chances if you do decide to smoke. ???

Thank u lady Lou, they can't do it in other country, don't do it in sweet Jamaica

Honestly, I would be very surprised if the police drove from Black River to arrest tourist for smoking / possession of ganjs unless it was a large quantity.

I think that there must be more to this story. But, I would not have the audacity to call the police to ask about.

I will leave this matter to the police, lawyers and embassy of these tourists.

Although I am curious ( fass & nosy perhaps)it is really none of my business.

If this happens, it should be in the Jamaica Gleaner for all to see. No secret. Abroad, it would not be a secret. We have the right to know.

Sunshine, you are right

Keep busy. Gossip is the order of the day in Jamaica. All when it makes no sense, to some jamaican is big truth story! (editedby TBnet)

This does not appear to be a story worthy of the Gleaner. Let it go! Who cares! Everyone is always looking for something to talk about that seems exciting...

Ganga is illegal. Some tourists got busted for possessing something illegal. They were arrested and deported. Someone please tell me what the consternation is.

Yea, we not ready for transparency. Or we are not allowed transparency?

Available information would lessen gossip.

Ganja is Illegal. lol

An American friend of mine, his nephew and the owner of the car who is Jamaican were arrested during a routine road block several years ago for possession of ganja. The small amount of ganja was under the driver's seat. They all spent the night in jail some where near Southfield. The next morning they appeared before a judge, the Jamaican told the judge that the ganja was his, which was true.
The Jamaican received a 10 day jail sentence, the 2 Americans were set free.

Just to put this to bed. The person in Calabash Bay was NOT arrested for ganja.

More rumours?

I find it humorous that nothing on this subject is said for over 3 days, until Zzzzzz asks us to put it to bed. Reminds me of that TV commercial where the girl calls her boyfriend to tell him that she is giving him the silent treatment.

Yes, they were ZZZZZZZZZZZZ.

Bottom line - be careful no matter where you are if you want to enjoy smoking ganga. People do like to tell on you if you [edited by TB.Net] them off.