An increase in the number of patrols and police personnel in the hotbed of the St. Catherine North Police Division has resulted in the seizure of nine illegal guns over the past nine days.

"We are now doing more random searches of pedestrians and motor vehicles. We have also deployed more personnel in the commercial districts, plus our Divisional Intelligence Unit (DIU) has been assisting us with a lot more intelligence-driven operations," Deputy Superinten-dent Meveral Smith, head of St. Catherine North CIB, told The Gleaner, yesterday.

With the Yuletide season approaching, the Spanish Town police have become more vigilant with their string of successes beginning on December 4.

Operations

During the series of operations, a number of persons including two teenagers were arrested in connection with the seizures. While two men were fatally shot in two separate incidents.

Those charged with illegal possession of firearm and ammunition are Davion Clarke, 18, otherwise called 'Adrian', of Denham Town, Kingston 14; Joseph McCalla, 34, also known as 'Clive'; 'Spanish Town' of Hampton Green; Kenneth Ellis, 21, also known as 'Omar'; 'Rat Face' of Kennedy Lane, Gordon Pen; Paul McCarthy, 38, also known as 'Pablo'; and 'Specie' of Grantland, Linstead.

Two male students, aged 14 and 15, were also charged. The two men who were fatally shot are Kevin Edwards, 38, also known as 'Ras Kev' and Garth Powell, 26, both of Beacon Avenue, Spanish Town.

The St. Catherine North police said they would continue to be proactive in their efforts to alleviate crime in the country and that they were appealing to citizens who may have information on criminal activities in their areas to contact them at 984-2874 or 984-2305.