Glenroy Sinclair, Staff ReporterALMOST A year after Operation Kingfish was established by Government to target gangland crimes, Assistant Commissioner Glenmore Hinds, says the élite unit has had considerable success disrupting and dismantling some of the country's most powerful and organised gangs.
"We have dismantled the Giddeon Warrior gang and disrupted the Matthews Lane, One Order, Clans and Dunkirk gangs," the Assistant Commissioner told The Sunday Gleaner on Friday.
These are five of the 12 most organised criminal gangs in the country that have been under the scrutiny of Operation Kingfish over the last eight months. Their members have been involved in the majority of the 307 gang-related murders. Up to Friday, the homicide rate stood at 1,230. At this time last year it was 1,078.
Pointing to the unit's biggest success to date, ACP Hinds said Kevin 'Richie Poo' Tyndale, leader of the Giddeon Warrior gang, was recently sentenced to 90 years imprisonment. The gang operated a multimillion dollar extortion racket in the Papine area and was also involved in kidnapping and contract killings.
"He is still facing a number of charges," said ACP Hinds.
A significant number of the Giddeon Warrior gang have either been killed by their cronies, shot during confrontation with police or have been arrested. According to Mr. Hinds, the arrest of Matthews Lane strongman, Donald 'Zeeks' Phipps, has affected the Matthews Lane gang.
DEFECTION, ARREST AND DEATH
Reports are that the Tivoli Gardens gang is still active and its operation are being probed by Operation Kingfish. The police said there are a number of criminal gangs operating out of Wilton Gardens (Rema), and recently, three members of one of the gangs were killed during a
robbery at a wholesale store in St. Thomas. Earlier this year, the police said there were 70 active gangs islandwide.
ACP Hinds also disclosed that the defection, arrest and death of some members of the powerful Spanish Town-based 'One Order' and 'Clans' gangs have significantly disrupted their activities.
The senior officer further said the Government, in collaboration with international partners and a number of non-governmental organisations, will soon be implementing the community security programme, which will cost approximately $200 million. The programme is aimed at eradicating community donship, allowing residents to live more independently.
