Cards of crime Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA) Kirk Benjamin has revealed that the state body has seized 195 international credit and debit cards sent to Jamaica from overseas between January and August this year. The Customs boss contended that many persons allegedly involved in illegal activities sent back the proceeds of crime loaded on international credit and debit cards. He told The Gleaner the cards that have been confiscated by Customs seldom have owners, as no one turns up to collect them.
Bad roads help cops nab suspected poker box thieves WESTERN BUREAU: Four men suspected of being behind a spate of poker box thefts in Hanover are now in custody after pieces of gaming equipment were found in their possession during a police operation in Ramble. Superintendent Andrew Nish, the police commander for Hanover, told last week’s monthly meeting of the Hanover Municipal Corporation that an Intratec submachine gun with four rounds of ammunition were also recovered during the operation.
Constable Joel Robinson named top cop Constable Joel Robinson of the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s (JCF) St Catherine North Division walked away with the Chairman’s Award in the the 2026 LASCO, JCF Saluting Our Heroes Awards. Robinson, a school resource officer in the JCF’s Community Safety and Security Unit, emerged from a field of six finalists recognised for their contributions to policing and public service. His achievement also earned him a promotion to corporal, announced by Commissioner of Police Dr Kevin Blake.
Judge decries ‘inappropriate things’ taking place in CMU trial The judge presiding over the oft-delayed fraud trial involving former Education Minister Ruel Reid has indicated that “a lot of inappropriate things” have taken place in the case. Senior Parish Court Judge Sanchia Burrell made the observation in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court yesterday. It came after one of Reid’s co-accused, former President of the Caribbean Maritime University (CMU), Professor Fritz Pinnock, revealed that his attorney Hugh Wildman would again be a no-show and that he had sent an email explaining his absence.
Caribbean tourism growth slows as cruise arrivals surge WESTERN BUREAU: Caribbean tourism is showing signs of slowing growth, with stayover arrivals increasing by just 1.9 per cent during the first half of 2026, even as cruise passenger visits surged 11 per cent to a record 21.7 million. However, the regional slowdown masks stronger performances in individual destinations, with St Vincent and the Grenadines and Turks and Caicos reporting visitor growth above the Caribbean average.
Jamaica’s tourism stature reinforced on world stage WESTERN BUREAU: World Travel Awards founder and president Graham Cooke has hailed Jamaica’s international tourism standing, noting that the island’s selection to host the Caribbean and Americas awards ceremony reinforces its position among the world’s leading destinations.
Breaking the silence Carla Moore describes herself as a girl from the Jamaican countryside, rooted in Linstead, St Catherine. She is an artist, activist, academic and dog lover who, by day, works as an assistant lecturer at The University of the West Indies’ Institute of Gender and Development Studies. Her mornings begin with a check-in on how she feels, a few deep breaths and some sunlight. At night, she winds down with an audiobook and, ideally, no phone.
HIDDEN VICTIMS Children apprehended for gang-related activities are not typically screened for signs of human trafficking, raising concerns that youngsters exploited by criminal networks could be punished for crimes they were forced to commit, according to the United States Department of State.
Harris wants early guilty pleas to count in more cases President of the Advocates’ Association of Jamaica (AAJ), Tamika Harris, is calling for greater recognition of early guilty pleas in Jamaica’s criminal justice system, arguing that they can spare victims further trauma and help reduce court backlogs. “Encouraging early guilty pleas is not about rewarding criminal conduct. It is about promoting accountability, protecting victims and ensuring the timely administration of justice.
Tufton: Stop punishing, start understanding struggling children WESTERN BUREAU: Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton says today’s children are growing up in a far more challenging environment than previous generations as smartphones, social media and constant exposure to information are creating new pressures that can contribute to anxiety, depression and other mental health issues. He said this requires parents, schools, communities and the health system to rethink how they identify and respond to children who may be struggling.