National Security Minister Lauds Kingfish

Minister of National Security, Derrick Smith, has lauded the work of the Counter Narcotics and Major Crimes Task Force (Operation Kingfish) in its efforts to fight major crimes in Jamaica.
The Minister, who was speaking at a press briefing held on (Oct. 19) at the Ministry’s Oxford Road offices, on the occasion of the task force’s third anniversary, said that “Kingfish has been one of the most successful and celebrated national security projects ever introduced in this country and I wish to commend you and congratulate you wholeheartedly, on behalf of the Government and people of Jamaica.”
Since its inception, Operation Kingfish has received more than 2000 actionable calls and has mounted more than 2000 operations leading to the recovery of nearly 300 firearms and in excess of 21,000 rounds of assorted ammunition, 567 arrests, and the seizure of thousands of pounds of drugs including cocaine, ganja and hash oil.
In addition, some 100 wanted persons have been apprehended, five illegal airstrips disabled and more than 80 illegal aliens detained. For the period January to September, Operation Kingfish carried out 607 operations and firearms, drugs and ammunition were seized.
Mr. Smith also commended the task force on its highly successful prosecution rate, noted that the organisation has not lost a single case in court.
“However, despite your tremendous success, it is obvious that we still have a long way to go if we are to bring crime and violence under control. We cannot be satisfied with a state in which murders continue to rise above 1,000,” said Mr. Smith.
He informed that in an effort to improve on intelligence, Kingfish will be seeking greater levels of interconnectivity with the National Investigative Bureau, Major Investigative Team, and the Military Intelligence Unit, while talks will be accelerated with the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms for the establishment of an office in Kingston to facilitate the sharing of information and intelligence.
“I think it’s most commendable and I believe I can count on the support of United States Ambassador, Brenda LaGrange Johnson, in ensuring that it is not only facilitated but that it is done quickly as possible,” Mr. Smith said.
The National Security Minister noted that Operation Kingfish will be stepping up its anti-extortion activities, but needs the support of citizens to ensure that the initiative succeeds. “It takes the full and total cooperation of law-abiding residents who want better for their communities, as well as business people and investors, who must unselfishly support the police in this effort,” he stated.
In the meantime, Head of Kingfish, Assistant 7Commissioner of Police (ACP) Glenmore Hinds, noted that in a relatively short span of three years, the task force has scored many notable successes, “but we are not resting on our achievements, there is still much to be done.”
“We can only succeed with the help of everyone. I encourage those Jamaicans, who are calling, to continue to do your civic duty by assisting us to rid society of organised crime networks,” ACP Hinds said.