Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:

THE POPULAR 'shoes market' in downtown Montego Bay where two recent gangland-style murders took place was the scene of a major police operation on Friday afternoon, which resulted in some 20 persons being arrested for various criminal offences.

"This is part of the zero-tolerance approach recently announced by the commissioner of police to target areas with a high propensity of criminal activities," said Superintendent Steve McGregor, the commanding officer for St James. "We have been getting some disturbing reports about the 'shoes market' and we will be keeping a close eye on it."

Dispute between the parish council

The 'shoes market', located at the corner of Creek Street and St James Street, has been the source of a long-standing dispute between the St James Parish Council, which wants to shutdown it down, and the vendors, who are adamant that it should stay open.

In Friday's raid, which included cordon and search, Superintendent McGregor said persons were arrested primarily for the possession of offensive weapons and ganja. However, he intimated that some persons are being interviewed to determine whether or not they have been involved in other crimes.

Extortion ring inside the market

"We have information that there is an ongoing extortion ring inside the shoes market by which certain individual are demanding goods and money from vendors through intimidation," said Superintendent McGregor. "We have also got intelligence that guns and ammunition are being traded there, but we have not been able to substantiate this."

In January, 38-year-old vendor Michael 'Scorcher' Nesbeth was shot dead by armed men at the shoes market.

On February 14, another vendor, 28-year-old Dion Williams was shot dead inside the facility by a lone gunman.

While the shoes market was the target of Friday's operation by the police, Superintendent McGregor said renewed emphasis would be placed on all hot spots in St James as part of an overall initiative to reduce crime by at least 15 per cent.

Since the start of the year, 18 persons have been murdered in St James.

"We are a little bit stretched in terms of man-power at this time because of the recent transfers from the division, which we are yet to get adequate replacements for," Superintendent McGregor said. "However, the public can rest assured that we will continue to take the fight to the criminals.

Last year, St James had a record 188 murders. The number included three policemen.