KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) says it is continuing its “unrelenting effort” to dismantle the One Order and Clansman gangs operating in St Catherine. A news release from the Corporate Communications Unit says over the last few days, lawmen seized eight firearms – three rifles, five handguns and more than 1,000 assorted rounds of ammunition – in McCooks Pen, Spanish Town, St Catherine.
The CCU says intelligence suggests the guns and ammunition were under the control of the One Order Gang. “The JCF is committed to reducing the influence of both gangs in St Catherine and has enhanced deployment of intelligence operatives, investigators and operational personnel in areas dominated by them,” the police communication arm says. The police are also collaborating with several interest groups and stakeholders to dissuade youngsters from joining criminal gangs as well as to assist those who are trying to leave or quit the gangs, the CCU says.
According to the police, since the start of the year, collaborative efforts of the Counter Terrorism and Organized Crime (C-TOC) Branch and United States counterparts resulted in three “top-tier” members of these gangs being convicted. They are: Everton Minott, otherwise called ‘Rado’; Rohan Hope, otherwise called ‘Placka’; and Richard Shelley, otherwise called ‘Ryda’.
The police say the three have been sentenced to 12 years, five years, and 20 years, respectively, for a range of offences. The efforts of the lawmen will continue as it seeks to reduce internal conflicts in the Clansman gang, which has left several people dead or seriously injured, the CCU says. The police say the effort is also geared towards preventing internal conflicts, which may result in inter-gang wars. The police believe that one element of the Clansman Gang is reportedly seeking support from elements within the One Order gang to settle the ongoing and long-standing internal feud within the gang.
As the JCF seeks to erode the capacity of gangs to positively impact the security situation in St Catherine and by extension in Jamaica, CCU says the Constabulary continues to appeal to the public to assist, by among other things, passing information to the police, through any of the many channels available, about:
1. Location of firearms and ammunition
2. Persons recruiting gang members
3. Persons facilitating these gangs
4. Individuals that hide criminal property
5. Persons that launder money for these gangs
The police say any other gang-related information, no matter how unimportant it may seem, would assist the JCF’s efforts to improve the security situation.
The JCF is urging the public to can contact the Counter Terrorism and Organized Crime Branch at 967-1389, 997-3579, Major Investigation Division at 369-9491, the Criminal Investigation Branch at 754-0600 ext 3464 or the Major Organized Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency at 754-3435 or 906-5848.