KINGSTON, Jamaica — Reggae icon Buju Banton has publicly accused port workers of stealing containers filled with hurricane relief supplies meant for victims of Hurricane Melissa, which devastated parts of Jamaica in late October.
In a fiery post on Instagram, the Grammy-winning artist said he could no longer remain silent about what he described as rampant theft at Jamaica’s ports.
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“The things are being stolen at the very port — look at this. Why? Why? Why?” Buju wrote, sharing a photo of a half-filled barrel that he said was part of the stolen relief shipment.
His post quickly went viral, sparking outrage among Jamaicans both at home and abroad. Several social media users echoed Buju’s claim, alleging that their barrels and containers had gone missing or arrived half empty after being shipped to the island.
The Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA), which oversees port operations, has not yet issued an official response to the allegations. Efforts to contact the agency for comment proved unsuccessful up to press time.
The complaints have reignited scrutiny of Jamaica’s Contactless Clearance Project, a system launched in 2023 to improve transparency and reduce theft at ports. Under the initiative, customs officers who handle packages are required to wear body cameras to ensure greater accountability.
At the project’s launch, Project Manager Kingsley Henry explained that the reform aimed to simplify the clearance process and enhance security through digital tracking.
“All that needs to happen is for your shipping agent to submit the documentation to Customs for duty assessment,” Henry said at the time. “Once payment is made, Customs inspects your cargo, and you can then use our online track-and-trace portal or mobile app to monitor your shipment.”
Buju’s allegations have drawn widespread attention, particularly as many Jamaicans in the diaspora have sent barrels and containers filled with food, clothing, and building supplies to aid family members affected by Hurricane Melissa.
For now, questions remain about the fate of the missing relief goods — and whether Jamaica Customs can restore public trust in a system now under intense scrutiny.
