Eight detained in major Portmore anti-gang operation

Six men and two women, all of St James addresses, were arrested in a major anti-gang operation in a gated community in Portmore, St Catherine today.

The operation was undertaken by the Joint Anti-Gang Task Force.

The police say the men are believed to be linked to a major gang operating in western Jamaica and have been in the radar of the task force for some time.

They said that the operation yielded the recovery of over 20 cell phones, multiple SIM cards, several laptops, bank cards, and lottery scamming paraphernalia.

Further, the security forces also seized a Toyota Mark X motorcar.

According to the police, the suspects have been displaced to St Catherine following persistent pressure from the security forces in western Jamaica.

They said that the operation started at 7 a.m. and the suspects reportedly attempted to burn and flush multiple lead sheets as the security forces attempted to breach the premises.

Once access was gained, the fire was put out and the suspects were detained, the police reported.

The police are encouraging residents of gated communities to be on the lookout for suspicious people and activities as they say that displaced criminals move into these areas to hide from law enforcement and cover their illegal activities.

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