(Jamaica Observer) – A 43-year-old Jamaican woman was on Friday sentenced to life in the United States for murder, kidnapping and racketeering.
Jean Brown, who has been labelled a drug kingpin, was handed the sentence in a Baltimore court. She was convicted of the crimes last month. The US authorities identified Brown as one of the leaders of the Brown Organisation — a criminal organisation whose members distributed narcotics primarily in Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, Arizona, California, and Jamaica. The investigation was conducted by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Baltimore County Police Department and the Anne Arundel County Police Department.
“Today’s life sentence of Jean Brown for her drug conspiracy, kidnapping and murder in aid of racketeering is a victory for HSI special agents who, since 2009, have been investigating the Jean Brown drug trafficking organisation, which spanned five states and two countries. HSI special agents have seized approximately 100 pounds of marijuana, $853,000 in cash and bank accounts, and six firearms from these co-conspirators, who used intimidation and violence to further their criminal activities,” said William Winter, special agent in charge of HSI Baltimore. “HSI will continue working with our law enforcement partners to investigate and ultimately dismantle criminal organisations that are wreaking violence in our communities through the illicit drug trade.”
Meanwhile, Rod J Rosenstein, US attorney for the District of Maryland, said “Brown ran a lucrative drug organisation that committed wanton and brutal acts of violence”.
