More illegal guns off the streets

At least four illegal firearms were removed from the nation's streets during the Christmas holidays, following various operations by members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

One of the firearm was seized by an off-duty policeman in Delle Ifle, Grange Hill, Westmoreland, on Sunday, December 24. A 27-year-old man, Shamori Miller, a carpenter of Godfrey Street, Grange Hill, was charged with unauthorised possession of a firearm in that matter.

Two seizures reportedly took place on Christmas Day, one of which yielded a Arcus 9mm pistol along with a magazine containing two 9mm cartridges. The police said the seizure took place along the Bull Bay main road about 12:37 p.m. According to the police, acting on information, a team of lawmen signalled the driver of a white Toyota Probox to stop. He complied, and a search of the vehicle and its occupants resulted in the discovery of the firearm and ammunition in the front passenger door of the vehicle.

Six people who were on board were taken into custody.

Also on Christmas Day, the Hunts Bay Police seized one Taurus Millennium pistol fitted with a magazine containing eleven 9mm rounds of ammunition while on patrol along East Street in Kingston.

The police said that about 3 p.m., lawmen were on patrol in the area when a man was seen along the roadway. Upon seeing the police approaching the man ran and opened gunfire at them. While evading the police the firearm fell, it was retrieved by the police and taken in to be processed. The man managed to escape in the area.

The Denham Town police in Kingston Western also recovered an illegal firearm during the period.

Reports from the police are that about 3:10 a.m., lawmen were on patrol and saw three men. Upon seeing the police, one of the men threw an object. When it was retrieved it was discovered to be a Smith and Wesson 9mm pistol with a magazine containing eleven 9mm rounds of ammunition.

All three men were taken into custody. However, their identities are being withheld pending further investigations.