Operation Kingfish, the nation's new crime fighting initiative, has apparently netted big, following reports that nine persons have been nabbed and several tonnes of cocaine seized over the past five days.
By Leonardo BlairIn a release from the Constabulary Communication Network (CCN) yesterday, police officials say, with the help of international agencies, they have been able to intercept and seized three go-fast boats in Caribbean waters, suspected to be heading for Jamaica. The boats, they say, were stopped and searched on three separate occasions with some 6.8 metric tonnes of cocaine valuing millions of dollars eventually seized.
Seven of the nine persons held in connection with the drugs have been identified as Colombian nationals, while the origin of the others remain unconfirmed. All are now in custody in the United States.
"We intend to starve these criminals of their funding," said Glenmore Hinds, assistant commissioner of police (ACP) and officer in charge of Kingfish. He was speaking with The Gleaner yesterday during an interview.
On October 24, Operation Kingfish netted 28 go-fast boats suspected of being used in the trafficking of illegal drugs. Six persons were taken into custody in Trelawny and St. James.
Operation Kingfish was launched following a spate of killings which saw the island's murder rate skyrocketing to well over 1200 ? a record high. Security Minister Dr. Peter Phillips, in a nation wide broadcast, explained that 'the main aim of the task force is to break up the organised and dangerous criminal gangs that are at the root of most of the gun violence.'
He pointed out that Operation Kingfish was also geared towards restoring community confidence and reducing the fear of crime 'so people can get on with their normal day-to-day activities.' The minister said known organised criminal gangs and their activities were targets, warning that nobody would be immune from prosecution.
He added: "I want to emphasise that this initiative is different from previous efforts in the long and difficult struggle against violent crime and the unacceptable high murder rate."
An intelligence driven operation, Operation Kingfish has the support of lawyers to ensure its cases can stand up in court. The minister has also promised to seek overseas assistance, by way of personnel.
