Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Writer

The weapons seized by the St. Catherine North police, including a two-way radio, a Desert Eagle handgun and a sword which were taken from men engaged in a shoot-out in Duncans Pen, St. Catherine. - Photo by Rasbert Turner

SPANISH TOWN, St. Catherine:

The St. Catherine North police yesterday launched a search for two men from the Duncans Pen community after the seizure of a multi-channel portable radio, a high-powered handgun and a sword from gunmen on Friday.

Reports from the Spanish Town police are that at about 10:30 p.m. Friday, the police were on patrol in Duncans Pen when they accosted a group of men. The men allegedly fired several shots at the police party, the lawmen returned the fire and the men ran leaving behind the Katana sword, a Desert Eagel handgun and the two-way portable radio.

Hi-tech systems

According to Sergeant Troy Anderson of the Constabulary Communication Network (CCN), the seizure of the portable radio and gun shows that the criminal underworld is working with hi-tech communications systems.

"We believe that the criminals are well organised," said Sergeant Anderson. "However, no stone will be left unturned until we get to the bottom of the matter to find out if the equipment can tap into the police system."

According to Sergeant Anderson, the two men who the police are searching for are known only as 'Marcus' and 'Terror Blacks', who it is believed they can aid in the investigation.

The latest seizure brings to 57 the number of illegal guns to have been seized from criminals since the start of the year.