Nagra Plunkett, Staff ReporterWESTERN BUREAU-
THE ST. James police are reporting a disruption in organised gang activities in Montego Bay following a major joint police and military operation in the second city yesterday in which twelve persons were detained.
"We have some key gang members and they are being held for further investigation and identification parades," said Superintendent Warren Clarke, commanding officer for the parish.
"A number of criminal suspects were held, some of whom have been charged with possession of cocaine and ganja."
FLANKERS TARGETED
The operation targeted the community of Flankers and the town of Montego Bay, with 16 planned raids conducted between 4:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. by more than 160 members of the security forces.
Ten pounds of ganja and 15 grams of cocaine were also seized in the exercise.
The St. James police have been hard-pressed to effectively control lawlessness especially homicides. To date, 118 have been committed in the parish since the year, 11 less than the total number recorded last year.
"A significant percentage of the murders are attributed to gang rivalry and gang activities and very many of the victims are gang members themselves," Supt. Clarke pointed out.
In June and July, there was a 50 per cent reduction in the incidents of murders committed, reportedly an achievement of the restructuring exercise under-taken in May, to enhance the crime and traffic investigative capacity of the parish.
CHRISTMAS SEASON
Under the restructuring exercise, five sub-operational commands were created in Coral Gardens, Montego Bay, Mount Salem, Anchovy and at the Sangster International Airport.
"Since October 1, we have designed and implemented a special anti-crime plan that will last for 90 days. It considers factors such as the winter tourist season and the approaching Christmas season," Superin-tendent Clarke added.
