JCF Clarifies Dynamite Seizure in St. Thomas Amid Conflicting Reports

July 8, 2025 | Jamaica Live News Desk

Yallahs, St. Thomas – The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has issued a correction following confusion surrounding the recent seizure of 510 sticks of dynamite in St. Thomas, revising earlier reports that indicated three men were arrested in connection with the explosives.

In an updated statement posted to its official social media channels, the JCF acknowledged the reporting error, stating:

“Correction: There was an error in a previous report that said that three men were arrested in connection with the seizure of explosives in Bull Bay, St Thomas on Monday, July 07. No one was arrested in connection with that seizure. However, during the operation, three men were taken into custody in connection with investigations into other criminal activities in the parish.”

This correction comes after Superintendent Michael Campbell, commanding officer for the St. Thomas Division, publicly challenged the earlier narrative, stating that the dynamite was found under a bridge and not at a premises as initially reported. He also confirmed that no arrests were made in direct relation to the explosives.

Earlier this week, the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), through its Morant Bay Police, reported that lawmen conducting an operation in Yallahs on Monday, July 7, found the explosives concealed inside a bag at a premises, and that three men were taken into custody. That report formed the basis of widespread media coverage, including by Jamaica Live.

He has further accused some media outlets of spreading inaccurate media report and has called for public retractions.
Shouldn’t this have been an in-house correction — instead of blaming the media for reporting the police’s own statement?

A retraction by the media is only appropriate if they fabricated or distorted facts
In this case, the media did neither. Instead, the JCF’s internal inconsistencies caused the confusion. Therefore, the correction should come directly from them — as it now has — without public accusations toward the media.

The media reported what the police initially published
Journalists, including Jamaica Live, relied on official information provided by the JCF — specifically from the Morant Bay Police. If that information was incorrect, the responsibility lies with the issuing agency, not the media that cited it.

The JCF has since updated their own statement
Their revised social media post admits there was an error in the “previous report” — meaning the mistake originated internally. The professional and transparent move is to own the miscommunication, not deflect it onto the press.

Undermining media trust sets a dangerous precedent
When authorities publicly criticize media houses for reporting based on their own flawed releases, it erodes trust, credibility, and freedom of the press. The press plays a vital role in accountability, not scapegoating.

Call for Transparency

The evolving nature of this case highlights the critical need for consistency and transparency in official communications. The seizure of such a large quantity of dynamite has raised alarm over potential threats to marine ecosystems, public safety, and national security—whether linked to illegal fishing or more serious criminal intent.

Jamaica Live stands by its commitment to accurate and accountable journalism, and our initial reporting was based on the JCF’s official release at the time. We welcome the updated clarification and urge the High Command to provide the public with clear, timely updates as investigations continue.