Glenroy Sinclair, Staff Reporter
FOUR OF the 20 illegal guns intercepted by Operation Kingfish at the Kingston Wharves on November 8 have turned out to be weapons that were stolen in the United States.
This was confirmed by a police source close to the investigations. Superintendent Devon Watkis of the Organised Crime Investigation Division (OCID), while declining to comment on the trace of the firearms, said the investigations were progressing smoothly.
"We are being assisted by our overseas counterparts," said Supt. Watkis, who is part of a mandate to track down and apprehend the notorious crime bosses operating across the country.
In relation to the illegal guns, the senior officer said police investigators are now inquiring into what they believe are fictitious documents used by several individuals in the illegal importation of the 20 guns and over 130 assorted rounds of ammunition.
SECRET COMPARTMENTS
The weapons, which include 12 high-powered rifles, three shotguns and five semi-automatic pistols, were discovered concealed in secret compartments of two wooden crates containing housing fittings. The paper trail has so far suggested that the cache of illegal guns and ammunition was shipped from Miami.
Assistant Commissioner Glenmore Hinds, head of Operation Kingfish, told The Gleaner two weeks ago that the weapons were linked to an overseas gang with local connections. Preliminary investigations by the police have also revealed that the guns were destined for slain Clansman leader, Donovan 'Bulbie' Bennett.
Bennett and another man, Nathan McDonald, were killed during a shoot-out with members of the security forces on October 30, in the small district of Tanaky, Rock River, Clarendon. Bennett will be buried on Sunday in Goshen, Clarendon, while McDonald will be buried on Saturday in the family plot at Red Road, Old Harbour.
In the meantime, the police have linked last February's massive gun/ammunition find to a prominent gang in August Town, St. Andrew. Sixteen illegal guns and a quantity of assorted rounds of ammunition were smuggled into the island. One of the persons implicated in the network was shot and killed in that community three weeks ago.
