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Commissioner of Customs, Major Richard Reece, says the clearance of goods has been significantly improved, since implementation of the Customs Administration Fee (CAF) on April 1. Responding to questions on the issue on Wednesday, May 15, at the weekly Jamaica House press briefing, Major Reece said a joint release will be issued on Thursday, May 16, based on dialogue with...

A thirty-four year old Cashier employed to the Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) and assigned to the Constant Spring Tax Office, was arrested and charged on April 8, 2013, with receiving stolen documents and faces additional charges of tendering stolen and forged documents. A thirty-four year old Cashier employed to the Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ) and assigned to the Constant Spring...

The traffic division of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has received a boost with the addition of four motorcycles to its fleet. Valued at some US$30,000, the 650cc Yamaha motorcycles, donated by the Jamaica National General Insurance Company (JNGI), were handed over on Thursday, May 9, at the Commissioner’s Office on Old Hope Road in Kingston. Minister of National Security,...

Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) in Charge of Area one, Warren Clarke, says a zero tolerance approach will be adopted in tackling crime in the region, which comprises the parishes of Trelawny, St. James, Hanover, and Westmoreland. “We deliver police service from 37 police stations in the western end of the island. We intend to improve this service, to...

For many persons, the spectre of prison conjures up images of violence, deviant behaviour, and an unpleasant place where criminals are locked away to do penance for their crimes against society. Amidst a seemingly hostile environment, the Correctional Services Department continues the day-to-day efforts of ensuring that there is redemption for those who find themselves behind bars, and that these...

Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips, says the Government is not relying solely on mega projects to grow the economy, but is also investing in areas such as small and micro businesses, as these are important in achieving economic growth. Dr. Phillips told journalists at a post budget news conference at the Office of the Prime...

Four major pieces of security legislation will be brought to Parliament this year to strengthen the country’s capacity to fight crime. This was disclosed by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, during her contribution to the 2013/14 Budget Debate in Gordon House on Tuesday, April 30. Also, as part of the administration’s ongoing efforts to reduce the incidences...

Minister of National Security, Hon. Peter Bunting, has lauded the Firearm Licensing Authority (FLA) for its rapid progress in tackling the backlog of applications for firearms. The Minister noted that the FLA has been processing an average of over 500 applications per month and has significantly reduced the backlog. “At the time they (the board) came to office, the FLA...

The Firearm Licensing Authority (FLA) has launched a new High Security Identification Card, which will be available as of Monday, April 22. The new card, which is similar in size to a credit card, has several security features to guard against replication, and it captures and stores the picture, finger prints and signature of the holder. National Security Minister, Hon....

A total of $52 million has been allocated to the Caribbean Asset Recovery Project in the 2013/2014 Estimates of Expenditure, which is now before the House of Representatives. The project seeks to strengthen the Financial Investigative Division by providing technical assistance to build its criminal asset recovery capabilities in tackling serious crimes. It also purports to develop the capability of...

Just over $2 billion has been set aside in the Estimates of Expenditure, now before the House of Representatives, to bolster the operational capabilities of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) and the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF). The larger share of the sum, of $1.13 billion, will go towards activities at the JDF. This includes $430.7 million to facilitate repairs and...

Activities under the Citizen Security and Justice Programme II (CSJP) should be significantly enhanced this year through a $1.1 billion provision in the 2013/14 Estimates of Expenditure, which is now before the House of Representatives. With funding support from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Department for International Development (DFID), the project aims to contribute to the reduction of...