Glenroy Sinclair, Assignment Coordinator

The large cashe of illegal firearms, magazines and ammunition that were destined for a community in Spanish Town, St Catherine, is displayed at the offices of the Major Investigation Task Force on Harbour Street, downtown Kingston. The weapons were intercepted by Operation Kingfish. - Norman Grindley/Deputy Chief Photographer

A stash of illegal firearms, magazines and ammunition that were destined for a community in Spanish Town, St Catherine, was intercepted by Operation Kingfish, during a 48-hour operation that ended yesterday at the seaport in Kingston.

Among the cache are; four AK-47 rifles, two semi-automatic pistols, one AR-15 rifle, two shotguns and 360 rounds of assorted ammunition.

Reports reaching The Gleaner are that the police, with the assistance of customs officers, have been searching the wharf since Wednesday. Up to yesterday afternoon they were still combing the area for more weapons.

The police have now seized more than 165 illegal guns over the past 102 days. Of that number, 71 were semi-automatic pistols.

Gang link

The weapons are believed to be linked to one of the gangs in St Catherine. Speaking with The Gleaner on Wednesday, Assistant Commissioner Glenmore Hinds said there were about 10 highly organised gangs that were under the microscope of Operation Kingfish. He said the gangs are located islandwide.

Four years ago, there were about 100 gangs operating in Jamaica but, according to ACP Hinds, most of the gangs are not very active.

Wednesday's cache of guns and ammo found on the wharf came at a time when the police are struggling to put a lid on the guns-for-ganja trade between Jamaica and Haiti. The police have repeatedly reported that Jamaicans have been using small fishing boats to travel to Haiti where they trade ganja for high-powered weapons.

glenroy.sinclair@gleanerjm.com