Clansman Gang burial site found after 18-month probe
Published:Wednesday | June 24, 2020 | 12:21 AMAndre Williams/Staff Reporter
AN 18-MONTH investigation by law enforcers led to the exhumation of skeletal remains in an open field at Waterloo Lane, Spanish Town, St Catherine, on Tuesday.
By noon, excavators had unearthed bones suspected to be from at least two bodies, signalling a breakthrough after months of intelligence gathering.
Four femurs, or thighbones, and other skeletal remains were found in one of the crude graves.
Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Fitz Bailey said that the police had been tipped off about the burial site.
“The police continued to persist using the resources that are available, including our cadaver dogs, and we have found this site,” Bailey said.
“We were here last year and we came back about two to three weeks ago. We came up empty-handed, but the character of our law enforcement officers was demonstrated, their level of persistence and commitment.”
The police believe that bodies were buried at the location as far back as four years ago.
The acting DCP said that the investigation was still continuing.
Sleuths had expected to find the remains of more than two persons in a zone dominated by the Clansman Gang, one of the two largest underworld networks operating in St Catherine.
The bones unearthed on Tuesday had been wrapped in clothing. Underpants and shoes were found in previous searches of the area, The Gleaner gathered. DNA testing will be conducted.
JOINT OPERATION
The search is expected to continue today after being called off about 3 p.m. on Tuesday because of humid conditions.
The operation was a joint effort involving several different units of the police and army.
Bailey also lauded the anti-gang legislation, crediting it for a decline in deadly violence between rival groups.
“When we did an assessment up to the end of April, only 31 per cent of murders were attributed to gangs. Fifty-nine per cent were considered to be non-gang, 10 per cent were considered undetermined, so I want to point out that the anti-gang strategy that we have employed for St Catherine North and other parts of the island … is working,” he said
Residents of Waterloo expressed shock as they watched in groups as the security forces carried out their operation.
“Years mi deh ya, from mi a two, and a di first inna mi life mi ever see this happen a Lane. At the end of the day, if a dead person down there with all I see them tek up, it can’t be no youth that born inna 1985 or ‘86 do it,” the near 50-year resident of the community said.
Another resident who was on hand said she was fearful of attacks.
“Everybody fraid. Nobody nuh want talk, but mi nuh really a talk on behalf of my pickney dem cause if fowl can’t hear, mi mada say dem feel,” the woman said.
Both residents requested anonymity because of security fears.
Tuesday’s exhumation follows one last month. Five bodies were unearthed during that operation in St Andrew.
The remains were found buried on a plot of land located off Washington Boulevard in the vicinity of the Sandy Gully.