Five men were due to appear in court today after a huge shipment of ganja was discovered following a sea pursuit.

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, all Jamaican nationals, have been charged by police.