St Elizabeth police detain 16, seize pistol in Santa Cruz sweep

ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica — Sixteen people were taken into police custody for questioning on Monday as lawmen carried out an operation in Santa Cruz and nearby communities, where a firearm was also recovered.

Superintendent Coleridge Minto, who heads the St Elizabeth Police Division, said in a video statement that the exercise began around 4:00 am and was completed without incident.

According to Minto, the police focused mainly on communities that fall within the Santa Cruz policing area, including Leeds, Goshen, Seven Corners and Providence Acres. He said that, by the close of the operation, investigators had detained 16 people for questioning and seized one prohibited 9mm Taurus pistol during a search at a premises.

Minto also praised residents for how they responded during the police activity. He noted that, although a gun was found at one location, officers did not have to use force. The people at that premises, he said, cooperated with the police and will get the opportunity to answer before the court.

The senior officer used the statement to urge wanted people to surrender to the authorities, warning that targeted operations will continue across St Elizabeth.

Minto said police are aware of several people in the parish who are involved in crimes, including murders, robberies and shootings, and made it clear that lawmen intend to pursue them. He also referred to a murder suspect who turned himself in over the weekend.

He appealed to people listed by the police as wanted, or as persons of interest, to contact an attorney or a justice of the peace and report to the nearest police station so their matters can be dealt with before the court.

Sergeant Albert Simpson, the sub-officer responsible for the St Elizabeth traffic department, said more than 100 tickets were issued for traffic offences during Monday’s operation. He added that police will maintain traffic enforcement, even as road deaths in the parish are down when compared with the same period last year.