Seven arrested for extortion in Half Way Tree

 

Seven alleged extortionists were nabbed during a major police operation in Half Way Tree, St. Andrew on Wednesday afternoon.

 

The operation was led by Assistant Commissioner Gary McKenzie, head of the JCF's Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch.

 

He told Radio Jamaica News that the men are expected to be charged for various offences and placed before the courts. 

 

"Apart from the extortion, this includes breaches of the Main Road Act as well as some of them had offensive weapons for which they will be charged as well. We will also be going through our systems to ensure that if they have warrants or they are otherwise needed by the police, then they will be dealt with accordingly," he disclosed.  

 

ACP McKenzie said the operation is a continuation of the recently launched Operation Transportation Streamline and will be conducted in other townships across the island. 

 

"This type of operation includes the input of the Transport Authority and the Island Traffic Authority. Of course, as you would have gathered, the Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunication and Transport spearheaded the launch of this operation and we continue to ensure that it is pervasive, not only the Corporate Area but across Jamaica. So we will ensure we intensify these operations as we go forward."