Rifle seized, 30 detained in Westmoreland operation
Tension grips Granville, Tucker in St James
Published:Friday | February 24, 2023 | 1:18 AMAdrian Frater/Acting News Editor
WESTERN BUREAU:
Western Jamaica was firmly in the cross hairs of the security forces on Thursday as soldiers and police officers swooped down on Lennox Bigwoods in Westmoreland and Tucker in St James.
The operations were in response to the rampant lawlessness that has been plaguing sections of western Jamaica, making the region the epicentre of the nation’s lawlessness.
In a special early-morning operation in Lennox Bigwoods, which has been plagued by a spate of gang-related violence over recent weeks, members of the security forces seized a sophisticated assault rifle, which is capable of a variety of rounds, along with a handgun.
Thirty persons, who occupied various premises in the community, were detained for questioning.
“It is sad that this quiet farming community has become a war zone as the young men seem intent on killing each other. Too many guns in [idle] hands in this community,” a farmer told The Gleaner. “Once upon a time, all you would hear about Lennox Bigwoods is that we plant a lot of ganja up here.”
According to the police, recent violent incidents in communities such as Darliston and Lennox Bigwoods have driven fear into law-abiding citizens, especially the elderly.
“We have also been getting reports that men who have fled police pressure in several crime hotspots in St James have been flocking to these communities and are forming gangs to unleash lawlessness,” a police source told The Gleaner. “I am sure those persons who are law-abiding citizens will sleep comfortably tonight.”
In St James, criminal elements reportedly set several houses in the Tucker community ablaze late Wednesday, while firing shots and displacing residents.
Firefighters from the St James Division of the Jamaica Fire Brigade had to retreat after blazing guns thwarted their initial efforts to respond to the fire.
They were only able to re-enter the community in the early hours of Thursday morning after they were escorted by a strong contingent of police officers.
“We can’t live in peace because of the gunmen. The peace in the community rarely lasts for more than two weeks,” one concerned student told The Gleaner. “It would be cruel to say the police are not doing their best, but the layout of the community makes it very difficult to get around unless you know the area very well.”
Over recent weeks, the Granville and Tucker areas have been experiencing fresh outbreaks of violence.
On Tuesday, two men, both from Tucker addresses, were murdered by gunmen in a section of Granville. The deceased were identified as 24-year-old Rexford Jarrett and 29-year-old Orane ‘Hagga’ Reid.
Between January 1 and February 21, the St James Police Division recorded 21 murders, a 47.5 per cent decline from the 40 recorded for the corresponding period in 2023.
Westmoreland has seen a 42.9 per cent decline in murders so far this year, falling from 21 in 2022 to 12 up to Tuesday this week.