Two men have been charged after authorities recovered 505 pounds of cannabis, 10 kilograms of cocaine, other suspected illicit substances, a firearm and ammunition from a vessel intercepted off the southern coast of Grand Cayman, police said.

The seizure followed a coordinated operation involving the Cayman Islands Coast Guard (CICG) and the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS) Air Operations Unit after a vessel was observed navigating in what police described as a suspicious manner along the southern coastline of Grand Cayman.

The vessel was intercepted shortly after midnight on May 29, after the RCIPS helicopter crew alerted the Coast Guard. The vessel, its occupants and cargo were secured before being handed over to RCIPS officers for further investigation.

A detailed examination of packages recovered from the vessel identified approximately 505 pounds of cannabis, along with 10 kilograms of cocaine, smaller quantities of ketamine and MDMA, a firearm and several rounds of assorted ammunition, police said.

Police said the seizure also included a firearm and several rounds of assorted ammunition. The firearm was independently identified by The Caymanian Journal as a SIG Sauer 9mm pistol, although authorities have not publicly confirmed the make or model.

The two men found aboard the vessel, aged 44 and 22, were initially charged with the importation of cannabis. The 22-year-old was also charged with illegal landing in connection with the initial arrest and recovery.

During a court appearance on July 14, both men faced additional charges, including importation of cocaine, importation of ketamine, importation of MDMA (ecstasy), possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of unlicensed ammunition.

Maritime trafficking concerns

The charges come against the backdrop of longstanding regional concerns over maritime drug trafficking routes in the Caribbean, where small-boat movements have been identified as a challenge for law-enforcement agencies operating across island jurisdictions.

A 2020 assessment, “Risk Faced by the Cayman Islands as an International Financial Centre,” noted that “Illicit inflows of marijuana via small boats are largely destined for domestic use.”

The Cayman Islands National Risk Assessment formally stated in 2021 that “The vast majority, if not all, shipments are believed to have originated in Jamaica,” identifying Jamaica as the believed source of the majority of cannabis shipments entering the jurisdiction.

The assessments reflect broader regional trafficking patterns and do not relate to the current investigation or establish the origin of the substances allegedly recovered in this case. However, they illustrate the continuing maritime-security pressures faced by the Cayman Islands, a jurisdiction located within a wider Caribbean network of shipping and migration routes.

RCIPS comments

RCIPS Commissioner Kurt Walton said the seizure demonstrated the impact of investment in law-enforcement capabilities aimed at disrupting suspected drug and firearms trafficking.

“This significant recovery demonstrates the impact of a major investment in law-enforcement capabilities to disrupt the flow of illegal drugs, firearms and ammunition through our islands,” Walton said.

The commissioner said RCIPS will continue working with local and international partners to address suspected trafficking activity.

“The RCIPS continues to work closely with our local and international law-enforcement partners to maintain a zero-tolerance approach to drug and firearms trafficking and will continue to apply all necessary resources to combat this criminal activity,” Walton said.

The matter remains before the courts, and the two men are due to appear again on July 29. Further developments in the case are expected as proceedings continue.

The charges against the two men are allegations, and they are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.