The Turks & Caicos Islands Police believe they have in custody a Jamaican man involved in recent gang-related criminal activities that have been plaguing the territory.
Andre De Souza, 31, who was out on bail for two offences, was on Monday charged after he was held with an illegal firearm and ammunition.
He was arrested on October 6 by a police team which intercepted a car he was driving on Airport Road.
According to TCI media, the police are probing whether De Souza is linked to other criminal activities.
De Souza is also awaiting trial on charges of overstaying and unlawful and malicious wounding stemming from an incident in August 2020.
He was first remanded to prison on the charges, but was later granted bail.
The Jamaican Government and police force are reportedly coordinating with the Turks & Caicos Government after the TCI authorities said a Jamaican gang was behind an increase in murders there.
The statement out of the TCI was strongly criticised by Jamaica's Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith, who argued that it unfairly placed the spotlight on law-abiding Jamaicans residing in the British Overseas Territory.
More arrests
Seven other persons, suspected to be involved in the gang-related crime wave in the TCI, were arrested earlier this week.
On Tuesday dozens of officers, including newly sworn-in constables from the Royal Bahamas Police Force and tactical teams, descended on areas where gang killings and violence have erupted.
The multi-pronged approach - dubbed "Operation Anaconda" - forms part of the Royal Turks & Caicos Islands Police Forces' pushback against gang wars and wanton bloodshed which have created an atmosphere of fear in the territory in recent months.
The police operation was executed in Dock Yard, Providenciales.
According to a statement from the police, the coordinated operation saw items related to potential gang violence, including ammunition, seized.
comments powered by Disqus
All feeds
