The strategic measures implemented by the top brass of the security forces have paid rich dividends. Over the last two and a half months, they have seized more than $10-million worth of illegal guns and ammunition.

A spokesperson at the Constabulary Communication Network disclosed Friday that 107 illegal guns and 1,419 rounds of ammunition had been seized. At least 68 persons have been arrested for gun-related crimes.

The St Andrew South (SAS) police have been able to remove a dozen guns from the streets within a 20-day period, pushing to 22, the number of guns seized in the division this year.

"Most of these guns have already been to forensic laboratory for further investigation," said Deputy Superintendent Michael Phipps, crime officer for SAS division.

Depressed communities

Dubbed the murder capital of the country, the police have been struggling to put a lid on the spate of criminal activities within the 33 depressed communities existing in the division.

At least 36 persons have been murdered in the division this year. Phipps blamed the deaths on spiralling conflicts in hot spots such as Tower Hill, Waterhouse, Galloway Road, Waltham Park Road and Greenwich Town.