( L - R ) MILLWOOD and SHAW
MANDEVILLE IS under intense pressure from extortionists who are spreading their tentacles in major towns across the country, according to Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Deputy Leader Audley Shaw.
At the same time, extortion is reportedly also making a significant dent in the income of at least one major player in the public transportation system in the Kingston Metropolitan Transport Region (KMTR).
Not only is the transport system plagued by criminals demanding protection money, but there are strong allegations from the National Transport Co-operative Society (NTCS) that rogue cops, who own wrecker companies, are wrongfully towing away their vehicles.
CONCERNED
Revelation about the growing extortion ring in Mandeville surfaced yesterday when Mr. Shaw, the Opposition Spokesman on Finance and Member of Parliament for North Eastern Manchester, said businessmen in that town had become increasingly concerned about the unwelcome demands.
He told members of the Rotary Club of Kingston, during a luncheon at the Pegasus hotel in New Kingston, that one of the businessmen approached by extortionists said he was asked to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars or face serious consequences.
"They have called him, and they have demanded $500,000 or they threatened his life," Mr. Shaw said while recounting the man's ordeal.
Mr. Shaw told The Gleaner that several of the businessmen who have been approached are resisting the demands of the extortionists.
However, the police in Mandeville said yesterday that they were unaware of the problem.
Several major towns including Kingston, Spanish Town, May Pen and Montego Bay have had to grapple with the extortion racket.
THOUSANDS A DAY
NTCS head Ezroy Millwood told journalists, during a press conference at the Hotel Four Seasons, New Kingston yesterday, that extortionists were making as much as $90,000 daily off NTCS bus operators.
Several bus owners said they continue to suffer at the arms of extortionists, particularly in downtown Kingston. Mr. Millwood said that, in addition to the problems posed by touts, some police personnel are targeting NTCS operators.
"There is a lucrative wrecking service being run by the police ..." He charged that the police hierarchy and senior government officials are aware of the problem.
