Glenroy Sinclair, Staff Reporter

Two men were shot and killed in Rockfort, east Kingston, yesterday, and three high-powered rifles, along with 14 rounds of assorted ammunition, seized during a pre-dawn operation by the police.

"A total of 75 persons were taken into custody. They are being processed, those who we have no interest in will be released," said Assistant Commissioner of Police Donald Pusey.

One of the deceased men has been identified as 19-year-old Anthony Thomas of a St. Patrick's Road address in Rockfort; the identity of the other man is still unknown.

"It was a very good operation, we went there to apprehend and arrest these guys, but it was just unfortunate that two lives were lost," ACP Pusey said.

According to Inspector Steve Brown of Operation Kingfish, members of the security forces conducted simultaneous operations at two locations in the community. One team went to premises at 8 St. Patrick's Road.

"The team was greeted (with gunfire) by about 15 heavily armed men, who it seems were on a mission. After the shoot-out, two of the men were later discovered with gunshot wounds. Two rifles, an M-16 and an AK-47 were found at that scene," Inspector Brown explained.

At the second location on Glasspole Avenue, a team of officers from the East Kingston Police Division found an M-16 rifle. A spokesperson at the Constabulary Communication Network said one man has since been charged in connection with one of the firearms, but his name is being withheld pending further investigations.