KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) reports 332 arrests and significant seizures of illegal guns and drugs during the first quarter of the year.
Commissioner of Police Major General Antony Anderson reported that there were two major gun seizures at the ports from January to March. He said these included a shipment of 22 guns in January and 59 in February.
A total of 225 illegal guns were seized for the quarter.
“This represents the highest number of seizures since 2017. Additionally, 238 persons were arrested and charged for gun-related offenses over the period,” the police chief informed.
In addition, 1,563 kilograms of cocaine and 4,204 kilograms of ganja were seized, and 94 persons were arrested and charged with drug-related offenses.
Major General Anderson said that work would continue to build the capacity of detectives to investigate gang-related matters, noting that a multi-agency approach has been taken concerning training.
The Commissioner informed that 60 personnel recently participated in an anti-gang training course, which was aimed at strengthening the capacity of the law-enforcement community to investigate, prosecute, and ultimately secure convictions in organized crime cases.
The anti-gang training course was undertaken in collaboration with the National Centre for State Courts and the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs in the United States (US).
Commissioner Anderson said that among the 60 participants, 40 were drawn from the JCF and others from the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA), the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), Victim Support Division of the Justice Ministry and the Financial Investigations Divisions (FID).
“We believe that this training will lead to even more arrests and convictions as we continue to disrupt the criminal organization,” he said.
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