By Special InvestigatorWESTERN BUREAU:
TWO MONTHS after probing claims that known drug dealers and other persons of questionable character in Montego Bay were being issued with gun licences, the Police High Command is still not in a position to validate or dismiss the allegation.
"The probe is still going on as we cannot treat allegations of this nature slightly," said Deputy Commissioner Lucius Thomas, the head of security operations in the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF). "It is not just in Montego Bay; it is an all-island probe."
The allegation, which claims that gun licences could be had from some police officers for a fee, took on national significance in September when a caller raised the issue during a phone-in session with representatives of the security forces and the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ).
Based on The Gleaner's own investigations, sources in Montego Bay revealed that they knew of instances where gun licences were being sold through a 'middle man', who reportedly had solid contacts with an unnamed senior police officer, for fees ranging from $60,000 to $80,000.
"I know drugs man and deportees who have bought gun licence this year," the source told The Gleaner. "My understanding is that if you provide your own Justice of the Peace and pastor recommendations, it will cost you $60,000 otherwise, it will cost you $80,000."
The character of persons being granted gun licences came under question in the Montego Bay RM court seven months ago (April) when 40-year-old Trevor Dolphy, a licensed firearm holder who was facing the court on murder and drug possession charges, was convicted on the drug charge and sent to prison. The murder charge is still pending.
While some senior police personnel in Montego Bay have dismissed allegations of gun licence sales as baseless, at least one policeman who was formerly stationed in Montego Bay thinks the matter is worth investigating.
"I can't help but wonder who did the background checks on some of these guys who are now licensed firearm holders," said the seemingly surprised lawman. "Unless these guys have been touched by an angel, I can't see them being granted gun licence as every inch of their past is tainted with wrongdoing."
While the gun licence probe has not been validated, Deputy Commissioner Thomas said the other allegation made by the caller to the security forces/PSOJ phone-in session about Colombian and Bahamian drug traffickers had proven to be factual, as some of these persons (Colombians and Bahamians) have been held in various drug operations in western Jamaica.
