Matthews Lane area leader Donald 'Zekes' Phipps was taken into custody yesterday during a massive joint military/police operation which began in the early hours of the morning in west Kingston.
By Robert Hart'Zekes' was taken to the Kingston Central Police Station for questioning by Senior Superintendent Calvin Benjamin after a large sum of money, initially estimated at more than $10 million, and several rounds of ammunition were reportedly found in his Matthews Lane home and nearby wholesale store.
"In addition to the cash, some important documents were found, which we believe can assist in some of our investigations," acting assistant commissioner of police (ACP) Owen Ellington told The Gleaner on the scene. Acting ACP Ellington, who is in charge of Area Four, noted that the Financial Crimes Division would be asked to assist with the investigation.
IMPORTANT ARRESTS
At least one motor car belonging to the community leader and several apparently abandoned motorcycles were also seized.
According to ACP Ellington, who led yesterday's operation, some "very important" arrests were also made during the widescale operation, which residents said began at 4:00 a.m. Those arrests, he added, are linked to a number of murders which have yet to be cleared up.
According to a source, one of the persons arrested was held for the murder of the nephew of Victor 'Rooster' Patterson, a one-time Matthews Lane resident who defected to nearby Tivoli Gardens more than two years ago.
The police theorise that that murder sparked the latest flare-up of violence in the West Kingston area, which has left more than 10 dead.
Just last week, commercial activities were halted in the usually busy market area of Heywood Street in west Kingston after a fierce gun battle broke out between rival armed gangs from the area. At least five persons were shot and injured during that incident.
Yesterday, Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) soldiers were also observed using a bulldozer to clear rubble from a warehouse in the Matthews Lane community.
As Zekes ? carrying two knapsacks said to be filled with money ? was escorted from his home, angry residents gathered and berated the security forces for harassing their community leader.
PNP caretaker for West Kingston Joseph 'Bunny' Witter was subsequently asked by the police to calm the boisterous crowd.
In October last year, Zekes turned himself over to the police for questioning in connection with an alleged extortion racket.
Five years earlier, demonstrations were sparked by the area leader's detention for questioning in connection with a report of attempted murder and wounding with intent.
