The police have made a major breakthrough in their probe of the murder of British Honorary counsul John Terry, who was found dead in his house in Mount Carey, St James, on September 8.

Investigators say a 23-year-old man was arrested in St Catherine in connection with a number of matters, including the murder of Terry.

"The investigation is progressing well and detectives from St James are being assisted by officers from St Catherine, St Andrew North and the Major Investigation Task Force as the hunt for those responsible continues," the police announced yesterday.

Thirty nine women, many believed to be prostitutes, were among 72 persons arrested by the police during a massive operation on the Port Henderson Road in Portmore, St Catherine, yesterday morning.

One man was fatally shot during the operation after he allegedly fired at the police-military team. He had not been identified up to late yesterday.

A .380 pistol and four rounds of ammunition were seized by the police.

The cops also sought assistance from the Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard to search the sea near the fishing beach where objects were reportedly thrown on the approach of the police-military team.

Prime Minister Bruce Golding has expressed regret at the passing of Jamaica's former Ambassador to the United States Hon. Keith Johnson.

Ambassador Johnson passed away peacefully at his home in New York on October 1. He was 88 years old.

In his tribute, Golding stated that, following Ambassador Johnson's retirement in 1991, he was praised as one of the most inspirational figures to serve as an ambassador in Washington by prominent foreign-relations spokesmen, including former US Secretary of State, General Colin Powell.

Golding noted that Ambassador Johnson had served nearly 50 years in the Diplomatic Corps.