Cops seize illegal firearms

Lawmen in the St Elizabeth and Kingston West police divisions took three illegal weapons and several rounds of ammunition off the streets on Saturday.

In the first incident, a team of officers in St Elizabeth seized one prohibited weapon along with 13 rounds of ammunition during a joint police-military operation in Birkshire district, Westmoreland. Reports are that about 5 a.m., lawmen were in the area when a premises that was occupied by a man was searched. During the search, one Taurus .38 revolver with six .38 rounds of ammunition was found in his possession. A further search was conducted and an additional seven .38 rounds of ammunition were found at another section of the premises. Closer examination revealed that several lead sheets with identity information of persons residing overseas were also found in his possession. He was subsequently taken into custody; however, his identity is being withheld pending further investigation.

In the second incident, lawmen assigned to the Black River Police Station seized a weapon during a shooting incident in Spring Park. Reports are that about 6 p.m., a gunman who had a confrontation with the police was shot. Subsequently, one Taurus .357 Magnum and three rounds of ammunition were seized. The gunman is now in hospital under police guard.

In the Kingston West Division, lawmen seized one prohibited weapon and ammunition during an operation on Beeston Street. Reports from the Denham Town police are that about 8:15 p.m., lawmen were in the area when they saw a group of men along the roadway -- one of whom had a firearm. On seeing the police team, the man dropped the firearm and ran. The weapon was retrieved, and a closer examination of it revealed that it was a 9mm Taurus pistol with a magazine containing 17 9mm rounds of ammunition. No one was arrested in relation to this seizure.

As of June 30, more than 300 guns have been seized, with more than 550 persons being arrested and charged.