Anderson notes major successes in tackling organised crime
Seven held, one charged in Beryllium robbery
Published:Wednesday | April 5, 2023 | 1:09 AMJudana Murphy/Gleaner Writer
Police Commissioner Major General Antony Anderson says there have been “significant successes” in the force’s efforts to combat organised crime, specifically in relation to gangs, guns and the illicit drug trade.
“As our intelligence capacity increases and our collaboration with our key partners locally and overseas improve, we are already seeing the benefit. In the first quarter of 2023, there were drug seizures totalling 1,563 kilograms of cocaine and 4,204 kilograms of ganja,” he said on Monday, adding that 94 people were arrested and charged for drug-related offences over the period.
Gun seizures for the quarter amounted to 225, representing the highest confiscation since 2017.
Furthermore, 238 persons were arrested and charged for gun-related offences between January and March this year.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey said the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has been working diligently to crush organised crime operations in Jamaica.
“Some of the avenues that used to produce income for the organised crime world have been impacted by the activity of the security forces, so definitely they will seek other avenues to replenish what they are doing – to get additional funding – but we will continue to pursue them and we have a general idea of who some of these people are,” Bailey said, referencing the multimillion-dollar robberies in Portmore, St Catherine, as criminals targeted Beryllium cash-in-transit vehicles in February and March.
In both incidents, the Beryllium crew were attacked while in the process of servicing ATMs at banks. Three guards were shot in each incident. One of the guards in the first incident died.
CHARGED WITH OFFENCES
On Monday, Bailey disclosed that Shemar Yee, of Spanish Town, St Catherine, has been charged with 12 offences in relation to the second incident.
Six other persons are also in custody in connection with that robbery.
“We have the information, we have the intelligence, and we are working but I’m not going to get into any more detail regarding that,” Bailey said.
Reflecting on the first quarter, Anderson said the JCF has made strides in its crime control efforts and continues to strengthen community outreach and intervention.
Major crimes have declined by 22 per cent so far this year, he noted.
At the end of March, murders were down by 21 per cent year on year, while shootings declined by 13 per cent.
“We however continue to see a shift in the attribution of murders – the reduction in gang-related murders, relative to interpersonal conflicts. As at March 31st again, gang conflicts accounted for 67 per cent of these murders, interpersonal conflict accounted for 22 per cent, while four per cent occurred in the furtherance of other criminal acts, and seven per cent are still being determined,” the commissioner said.
Anderson said that as the JCF continues to get new equipment, implement its policing plan and work closer with communities, he has no doubt that people will begin to feel safe.
“We have been seeing encouraging signs that communities are less willing to accept criminals in their midst. The strategy of our commanders and their teams to be closer to their communities and build relationships is working. We do not regard these efforts as an event but as an ongoing part of our policing plan,” Anderson remarked.