Maxfield still fears Stinger threat

SECTIONS OF Maxfield Avenue in south St Andrew are now tense following threats reportedly issued by thugs linked to the infamous Stinger gang.

The man reported to have headed the gang, Ricardo Wynter, better known as 'Government' or 'Gov', was fatally shot by the police in Hellshire, St Catherine, last week, and his cronies claim the cops were led to his hideout by informers.

Residents now say since the killing of Government on Thursday, men with high-powered weapons have been going through the community searching for the "informers".

"Is like the man dem say dem must kill some people fi Gov because a long time the police a look fi him and him over Portmore and dem couldn't find him. So a must somebody inform," a resident told The Sunday Gleaner.

"But if dem a look fi informer, dem must look inside the gang and leave people alone," the resident added.

Yesterday, head of the St Andrew South Police Division, Superinten-dent Delroy Hewitt, said while he had not heard about the threats, he would not discount the reports.

Hewitt pleaded with residents to share the information with the police, who are determined to dismantle the Stinger gang and haul its members before the courts.

Three key members of the Stinger gang were arrested by the police on Wednesday, just over 24 hours before Wynter was found.

The three remain in police custody and seem set to face multiple charges ranging from murder to shooting with intent and illegal possession of a firearm.

But the residents say the families of the three may also not be safe from the gangsters eager to avenge the death of their leader.

Wynter has been on the police's most-wanted list for some time and was linked to several murders and shootings.

He was among the first persons of interest named by the police following the declaration of a state of emergency late May.

The police say Wynter was the financial backer of the Stinger gang, which is involved in all forms of criminality, including contract killings and drug dealing.

The Stinger gang has existed for years, ruling Ramsey Road, Barnes Avenue and Raphael Avenue, off Maxfield Avenue, and sections of Arnett Gardens in south St Andrew.

But the gang remained below the national radar until 2005 when its members were accused of the massacre of 10-year-old Sasha-Kaye Brown, her grandparents, Gerald and Dorcas Brown, and aunt, Michelle Brown, in their house on Barnes Avenue.

The horrifying story sparked outrage as the nation heard how the gunmen sprayed bullets on the burning building, trapping the family inside even as the 10-year-old cried for assistance.

This made the gang the target of several police operations, which continued until the cops managed to cut down then gang leader, Marlon 'Little Wicked' Mattie.

He was reportedly replaced by Wynter, who had been deported from the United States, and had been charged locally with a gun-related crime before being freed by the courts.

Under the leadership of Wynter, the Stinger gang became more organised, though no less violent, and branched out into legitimate businesses, including a nightclub.

The gangsters also tightened their control of their main area of operations, driving out persons they labelled informers.

It was alleged that the gangsters would comb the community, seizing cellphones from residents to check call logs.

Threats were reportedly issued against anyone whose telephone contacts proved that they had been in touch with the police.

But still, some residents of the community remained fiercely loyal to Wynter, while arguing that he was not a wrongdoer.