JCF dismisses claims of politically motivated crimes in Portland

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) says it has no evidence that the murders and shootings committed in Portland so far this year had political undertones or connections.

The JCF, in a statement this morning, said that it was addressing pronouncements made on social media about incidents in the parish.

The police force said since January 12 murders and five shootings there have been reported in the parish, none of which were politically motivated.

According to the JCF, there has been an increase in the migration of displaced criminal suspects as well as domestic and rival gang conflicts which led to heightened operations by the Portland Police to maintain law and order.

“This vigilance to detect and deter displaced criminal suspects resulted in eight men from Denham Town, Kingston being picked up and processed in Orange Bay, Portland on August 15, 2018. It was determined that the men were not wanted and were subsequently released.

The police also remain alert to instances of domestic and rival gang conflicts and continue to implement measures to cauterise such occurrences.”

In one such incident on August 18, according to the police, two men were shot and injured by armed men on foot in Buff Bay.

Investigators theorise that the shooting emanated from a longstanding conflict over the control of turf between rival factions within the community.

The JCF said detectives are also investigating several leads including threats of a domestic nature which were made against Stacey-Ann Wellington who was shot dead by unknown assailant(s) on October 14 at Olivier Street in Buff Bay.

Several statements have been collected on this matter and investigators continue to probe, the JCF said. 

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