More Illegal Weapons Seized Under JCF’s ‘Get The Guns’ Campaign

The ‘Get the Guns’ campaign, launched just over three weeks ago, continues to reap results in the seizure of illegal firearms.

Commissioner of Police, Dr. Carl Williams, reports that law enforcement officers have seized 68 illegal guns and some 800 rounds of assorted ammunition from communities all across Jamaica.

Speaking at the handover of nine boats by the United States Embassy to the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s (JCF) Marine Division, at his Old Hope Road office on Wednesday, October 14, Commissioner Williams expressed confidence that the campaign will continue to be a success.

“We are following some very good intelligence leads, which I am certain, will lead to the seizure of several more firearms in the next few weeks. The initiative has been fairly successful and we envision further success,” he said.

The ‘Get the Guns’ campaign, which got underway on September 17, is the JCF’s latest crime fighting initiative, aimed at reducing the number of guns available for use in murders across the island.

It involves, among other things, intercepting illegal guns entering the island’s shores and seizing them from criminals.

The campaign features a reward scheme to encourage members of the public to provide information.

It involves collaboration with the Haitian law enforcement authorities due to the high inflow of illegal guns from the French-speaking island.

The Commissioner informed that the Haitian authorities have intercepted 13 illegal firearms that were destined for Jamaica, as well as some 2,500 pounds of marijuana seized at the Haitian border.

Dr. Williams said that the boats provided by the US Government will enhance the capabilities of the police in protecting the country’s borders, including reducing the inflow of illegal guns and drugs into the country.

“This large injection of resources will be a game changer for the marine police in terms of their ability to conduct more meaningful patrol of our waters and prevent all forms of illicit traffic, not the least of which are human trafficking, drug trafficking and firearm trafficking,” he said.

“We are now in a much better position to detect and prevent offences in relation to immigration, customs and fisheries laws, as well as to carry out more effective search and rescue operations,” he added.

The JCF’s Marine Division has conducted several successful operations since the start of the year.

Among these are 4,670 marine patrols, and 30 search and rescue and 12,199 stop and search operations.

The activities of the unit have led to the seizure of 30 vessels and 27 boat engines, and the arrest of 334 persons for various breaches of the Dangerous Drugs Act, the Petroleum Act, as well as for public health and marine-related breaches.

Dr. Williams added that the unit’s work has also resulted in the seizure of 2,118 pounds of marijuana.