Cops find guns in fowl coop - Alleged lottery scammers arrested during operation

Seven persons, including three women who are believed to be major players in the infamous lottery scam, were arrested and three illegal firearms seized during an operation in Pitfour, Granville, St James, on Wednesday.

The police reported that a joint police-military operation was carried out at several premises along Artwell Drive between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., as the security forces searched for two alleged scammers known as 'Ratty' and 'Blacks' who were among the seven persons who were arrested. During the search, the lawmen seized a number of lead sheets and lottery scam paraphernalia.

The search led the officers to a fowl coop at the rear of one of the premises, where the three illegal firearms were discovered. They are an American Tactical Omni hybrid M-16 assault rifle, fitted with a multi-calibre magazine containing twenty-two 5.56 cartridges, one Glock pistol fitted with a magazine containing eight live 9mm rounds, and one Sig Pro pistol, fitted with a magazine containing ten .40 cartridges.

Further search of the coop led to the seizure of two additional Glock magazines and a Browning pistol magazine, along with one ballistic vest and six pairs of illegal motor vehicle registration plates. Those arrested are from Artwell Drive, Chambers Drive, Tucker, Maroon Town and Norwood Gardens.

One police source told THE STAR that 'Ratty' and 'Blacks' have been under the police radar for some time.

"Both men and their accomplices have been arrested and will be charged by Friday of this week," the source stated. "We have strong evidence which has revealed that the suspects have been part of a major lottery scamming ring, and also that they may also have been impersonating the police during their illegal activities."