Five Jamaican men have appeared in court after hundreds of pounds of ganja was seized after a sea chase.

Shortly after 2am on Tuesday, 1 November 2011, officers aboard Marine Vessels Niven D and Tornado were conducting maritime border patrols along the south coast of the Island.

Upon checking the coastlines near the Pedro bluff area, officers observed suspicious activities at sea.

The officers investigated what they initially thought might have been a transfer of contraband at sea. Upon investigating further the marine vessels observed a vessel speeding away.

The marine vessels contacted the helicopter for support and all three assets pursued the vessel as it headed out to sea.

Parcels could be seen being thrown from the speeding vessel which was subsequently interdicted after a short pursuit. This suspect vessel was then confirmed to be a Jamaican canoe. The five packages thrown overboard were all recovered from the water.

Five males were arrested along with the seizure of pounds of Ganja.

Officers from the Drugs & Serious Crimes Task Force are now actively conducting post investigations into the recovery and arrest of the five males as well as the involvement of any other persons.

The RCIPS is appealing to any persons who might have been fishing on land or out to sea near the area of this interdiction to see if any other suspicious vessels or persons were seen leaving the area.

Anyone with information should call 949-7710, the RCIPS confidential hotline 949-7777 or Crime Stoppers on 800-8477 (TIPS).