National Security Minister, Dr. Horace Chang on Tuesday, December 29, denied the Jamaican authorities granted permission for the destruction of a vessel- Lady Lawla- confiscated by US Coast Guards.

Lady Lawla is a state of the art tug boat that was reportedly destroyed after being intercepted by US Coast Guards in October.

Four Jamaican crew members were on board.

Dr. Chang says it would be inaccurate for anyone to suggest that permission was sought from the Jamaican authorities, namely the Jamaica Defense Force, to destroy the vessel after it’s crew was detained.

However, a Drug Enforcement Administration’s Special Agent in a sworn affidavit told a Florida court that permission was sought and granted by the US authorities from the JDF to destroy the vessel.

CVM Live’s Senior Reporter Neika Lewis reports: