Two guns seized, six gangsters arrested and burglar gets 24-month prison sentence | Old Harbour cop says crime strategy bearing fruits

According to the experienced crime fighter, the Old Harbour police seized two guns in the last two weeks and have arrested six alleged gangsters connected to the deadly ongoing gang war between men from Patrick Street and Smith Avenue.

And crime fighters in Old Harbour, he charges, will intensify their efforts along a section of West Street – informally dubbed the ‘Red Light District’ or ‘Hip Strip’ of Old Harbour where “prostitution and drug peddling” are common.

“We can attribute three murders that are directly linked to the gang war between Patrick Street and Smith Avenue. We devised a strategy by utilizing the expertise of the St Catherine South proactive investigative unit and Old Harbour CIB head Det. Sgt. Noel Bryan and his team, which resulted in six men being arrested and charged under the anti-gang legislation,” Duncan said in an Old Harbour News exclusive interview.

“There is a tense calm in the area and we continue to monitor and are looking at other players in the same space.”

Within the last 14 days two guns were removed from the streets of Old Harbour with two men being arrested and charged with possession of illegal firearm and ammunition.
In the first case, the police took a .38 revolver off the person of Chevoyi Brown, 27, during a patrol in Rock Stone, Spring Village. Brown was among a group of men playing dominoes when a police patrol team conducted a search of individuals at the location.

A few days later the police, responding to shots being fired at a wake in Marlie Acres, arrested Oshane Edwards who was found with a Carandai 9mm pistol loaded with 14 rounds.

“When the police went to the area Edwards was seen acting suspiciously and was accosted and searched and a pistol taking from him,” Duncan said. “We however, were faced with strong resistance from a crowd that came down on the police who had to be firmed while carrying out its duty.”

According to the Inspector, they have been able to put a dent in a series of robberies and shootings with the arrest of Oshane ‘Cool Face’ Douglas who is of a Clarendon address. Douglas, who has been on the “police radar for sometime” was shot and injured during a robbery attempt at Bowers Drive, Old Harbour. The police said Douglas and his partner in crime were challenged by two off-duty cops during which he was shot while the other robber escaped.

Subsequent investigation, Duncan said, would later reveal that Douglas was one of two men who were involved in a robbery and shooting at Walker’s Road, Old Harbour in September.

Residents of New Harbour Village and The Aviary housing schemes can sleep a little better following the sentencing of Zebian ‘Dudu’ Jackson, the senior cop told Old Harbour News. Jackson, a known recidivist, was sentenced to 24 months in prison after pleading guilty to several charges of burglary. The ‘Africa’ resident is still awaiting sentencing on five other charges for house break-ins.

For the rest of the year, the Old Harbour ‘Hip Strip’ will be getting special attention from the police, Duncan warned.

“Of high priority now is that section of West Street where prostitution and drug peddling take place. It is a main area of focus for us and you will see increased police activities in that space going forward,” he said. “We are aware that men from Spanish Town and May Pen are intent on using that space to create mayhem but will not allow such plans to materialize in any shape or form.”

The migration of criminals to the Old Harbour area is attributed, in part, to ongoing state of emergencies and zones of special operations in the corporate area, as criminals try to find safe havens to finance their enterprise.