Portland:

In their bid to clamp down on the illicit drug trade in the parish, the Portland police on Friday destroyed approximately 10 acres of fully grown ganja plants.

The weed was discovered on a property in the hills of Heart Hill, Buff Bay.

The police, who were reportedly acting on information, swooped down on a property in the dead of night, shortly after 2:30 a.m., and discovered the fully grown plants, which they believe was near its reaping stage.

A search of a nearby hut resulted in the seizure of a bag containing 30 pounds of the weed, which was already packaged and appeared ready for export.

Following the discovery, fuel was dumped on the cultivated weed and the hut, which were later set ablaze by the lawmen. No one was held in connection with the discovery.

The police have remained active in the fight against illegal drugs and are monitoring the coastal areas and beaches including Norwich, Long Bay, Manchioneal, Bryans Bay and Prospect, where it is believed that some local fishermen and other residents are actively involved in the drugs-for-gun trade between Jamaica and Haiti.