Husband and wife wanted in US fraud case arrested in St James

A St James community was rocked before sunrise on Wednesday as lawmen swooped in and snatched up a husband and wife wanted overseas, in a high-level operation targeting fugitives hiding in Jamaica.

The couple, identified as 31-year-old Nicki Gibbs, a nurse technician from Bronx, New York, and her husband Swayne Barker, otherwise called 'Black Boss' of Red Dirt, Flankers, were picked up during a coordinated pre-dawn raid.

Reports are that between 4:00 a.m. and 5:47 a.m. on April 22, members of the Anti-Lottery Scam Unit (ALSU), the Jamaica Fugitive Apprehension Team, and the St James Operational Support Team carried out the operation in Red Dirt, leading to the couple's capture.

Authorities say both individuals are wanted in the United States on fraud-related charges.

The pair were taken into custody and are now awaiting extradition proceedings.

Head of the Fraud Squad and Financial Crimes Investigation Division, Deputy Superintendent of Police Horace Forbes, said the arrests highlight Jamaica's ongoing collaboration with international law enforcement.

"These arrests are the culmination of ongoing collaboration between the Jamaica Constabulary Force and its international partners to track and apprehend fugitives seeking refuge within Jamaican borders. Jamaica will never be a sanctuary for criminal activities," Forbes stated.

Investigations into the matter are ongoing.

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