By Glenroy Sinclair, Staff Reporter
Thomas
OPERATION KINGFISH, the government's latest crime fighting initiative, is probing at least 12 gangs that are said to be major players in organised crime.
While declining to name the 12, Deputy Commissioner of Police Lucius Thomas described the gangs as being highly organised and influential in narco-trafficking, extortion and gun-running.
Responding to questions about the inflow of illegal guns and ammunition into the island, DCP Thomas confirmed that the police were investigating reports of a major gun smuggling ring between Jamaica and Haiti.
Reports reaching The Gleaner are that small boats are leaving Jamaica from various points in St. Catherine, to Haiti, with narcotic drugs, which they trade in for high-powered weapons.
DCP Thomas could not confirm that another gun smuggling ring was being operated between Jamaica and Nicaragua. However, reports reaching The Gleaner are that small vessels routinely set sail from the St. Elizabeth coastline to the Central American country where the transactions are conducted.
Among some prominent and active gangs under the microscope of the police are the Spanglers/Matthews Lane gang, and Shower Posse from west Kingston, Bi-Bow Posse from Arnett Gardens and One Order and Clans Massive from Spanish Town, St. Catherine. Also Mad Squad from Hannah Town, west Kingston, Jungle 12, Colour Red and Gideon Warriors from the Papine and August Town areas of St. Andrew.
"There are also splintered groups, without names, (but which are) heavily armed and involved in a series of conflicts with other gangs," said a prominent detective who is part of the team investigating these gangs.
The police have zeroed in on a gang which they said had been robbing bars and killing patrons. Reports are that this gang operates with several cars during the robberies.
GLOBAL LINKS
Last Tuesday, Police Commissioner Francis Forbes told journalists during the launch of Operation Kingfish that today's gangs are much more structured, with global links reaching far across international borders.
"They trade in illicit drugs, illegal guns and ammunition, counterfeit goods and currency, and of course they launder huge sums of money. They are represented by the best lawyers (and) are advised by cunning investment bankers," the Commissioner said.
These are gangs that operate multimillion dollar extortion rackets, hold communities to ransom by handing out money to the poorest of the poor demanding loyalty or death.
