It's not often that we find examples of persistent intelligence on the part of Jamaica's security forces leading to a breakthrough in a criminal investigation. So the reports of the arrest of a Jamaica Defence Force soldier for illegal possession of over 500 rounds of ammunition after sustained surveillance over a period of time is a bit of refreshing news.
The linkages between Jamaica's criminal network, the drug trade and the underground trade in ammunition and guns are intertwined and members of the army and police force are not immune to the temptations that are part and parcel of the success of that trade.
While we await the outcome of the trial and determination of guilt or innocence of the particular solider arrested and charged in connection with this case, it is still useful to revisit the dangers posed by those twin trades to the Jamaican society and the implications for all of us.
In order for the illegal trade to thrive, personnel in strategic places and sectors have to be targeted and enticed to be part of the business. Anecdotal evidence abounds of significant corruption among the security forces. Hard evidence leading to conviction in a court of law remains largely elusive.
Yet the abundance of ammunition in the hands of criminals suggests that the import and distribution avenues remain unfettered.
In the instant case, the reports from the security forces have not indicated the source of the ammunition, whether they were siphoned from the JDF's armoury or whether they were obtained illegally for resale.
But senior managers and administrators have come to appreciate that the best antidote to the poison of corruption is to rely on a system of checks and balances to detect and cauterise it rather than to hold on to an expectation of personal integrity.
As an aside, the patient observation that reportedly played a part in this investigation should also serve as an example in other cases. Far too often the police in particular, announce with much fanfare that there has been big ammunition finds at one of the country's ports of entry. Invariably, we are told investigations are continuing, but up to the point of the announcement, no arrest is made and it seems the would-be recipients have already vanished into thin air.
Given the incipient nature of the criminality moles are likely to be at levels of the investigative chain indeed Police Commissioner Lucius Thomas has already alluded to this then the dangers of a tip-off are quite likely.
The private holders of licensed weaponry are required to exercise due care for that privilege in the interest of personal safety and protection. The same must apply to a greater degree to the authorities who hold armouries for the protection of the State.
THE OPINIONS ON THIS PAGE, EXCEPT FOR THE ABOVE, DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE GLEANER.
