Firearm, ammo seized at Petrojam Montego Bay Terminal

KINGSTON, Jamaica—A firearm, several rounds of ammunition and US$1,780 in cash was seized by members of the National Strategic Anti-Gang Division (NSAD) of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) Specialized Investigation Branch at the Petrojam Montego Bay Terminal, in Freeport, Montego Bay on Tuesday. Reports are that about 11:40 am, lawmen executed a search warrant at the terminal. During the operation, a Palmetto State 9mm pistol, 101 rounds of mixed ammunition, suppressors, tactical gear, US$1,780 and other paraphernalia were seized.

This latest seizure follows the arrest and charge of 19 alleged members of the Genasyde Gang, including the reputed leader, 39-year-old Tefari Green. They were charged with various violent crimes spanning five parishes between 2021 and 2026. Green was charged with leadership of a criminal organisation.

The JCF’s SIB says it has made significant progress against organised crime over the past week. Forty-year-old Vachel Whitter was arrested and charged for possession of prohibited weapon, unauthorised possession of ammunition, dealing in prohibited weapon, stockpiling prohibited weapon and trafficking prohibited weapon following the seizure of 228 rounds of ammunition were reportedly seized in Fairview, Montego Bay on August 6. Hours later, about 2:50 pm, 200 rounds of ammunition were reportedly seized during an operation on Fairview Road, St James.

Thirty-two-year-old Jermaine Graham and 23-year-old Shamoy Staple, were charged with unauthorised possession of ammunition, stockpiling prohibited weapons and trafficking prohibited weapon, possession of prohibited weapon, dealing in prohibited weapon and trafficking in prohibited weapon. Similarly, the SIB partnered with the Financial Investigation Division on August 7 and operations in Kingston and St Andrew resulted in the seizure of over 75 million in cash and approximately $4 million in counterfeit goods. Two individuals were charged with possession of criminal property and other offences and were granted $1.5 million bail each.

On August 10, during separate operations in Montego Bay, the NSAD team seized a firearm, a ballistic vest and 81 rounds of ammunition. Two women and a man were taken into custody in relation to this seizure. Head of the Specialized Investigation Branch, senior superintendent of Police Christoper Brown, said the JCF has intensified its strategies against …