Two illegal guns, more than 500 rounds of ammunition seized in St. James

By Kimone Witter    

 

The St. James Police seized two illegal firearms, including an AR-15 rifle and more than 500 rounds of ammunition at separate locations on Friday and Sunday during Operation Reassure.

 

There were no arrests in connection with the seizures.

 

Superintendent Eron Samuels, Commanding Officer for the division, says a pistol was seized in the Barnett Street area on the first day of the operation as well as ten rounds of ammunition in Anchovy.

 

Superintendent Samuels says the security forces made a major ammunition find in Guava Walk after they came under attack.

 

"In the Guava Walk area, whilst conducting an operation, the members were fired upon by criminals. And upon the end of that engagement, we found over 500 rounds of ammunition, assorted rounds of ammunition, and the assault rifle. This was very good on Friday. And on Sunday, members of the Specialised Operations, SWAT, whilst conducting an operation, they were able to seize over 57 rounds of ammunition," he disclosed. 

 

Meanwhile, Superintendent Samuels said the St. James Police are ready to continue the success achieved in reducing the number of murders in 2024.

 

Some 125 murders were recorded in the parish last year compared with 187 in 2023.

 

"We are looking forward to pushing really hard this year again. Our aim is to finish the year with less than 100. And I am sure that the men and women on the ground are revved up and ready to go to complete the Commissioner's mandate of below 1000. We know St. James has a great role to play in this, and we are committed to ensuring that this target, our target, is met. We believe that if we continue to work with the persons on the ground, pushing our community policing initiatives, we will definitely see a lot more long-term reductions, and we can bring more normal way of life to the people of St. James," he said.