Glenroy Sinclair, Senior Crime Reporter

Despite the killings of at least 25 taxi drivers over the past 18 months, police intelligence does not suggest the group is being targeted.

Instead, investigations have suggested that some of the illegal operators are linked directly or indirectly to criminal gangs.

"We are very concerned about the killings of these taxi operators, but there is no evidence to suggest that they are being targeted," Deputy Police Commissioner (DCP) Charles Scarlet said. "They are no more vulnerable than any other group."

He warned that taxi drivers must be careful how they accept charters, who they carry and where they go.

According to DCP Scarlet, only drivers with red plates are categorised as legitimate taxi operators. Egerton Newman, head of the National Association of Taxi Operators (NATO), concurred with DCP Scarlet and blamed the Government for the increase in the large number of illegal taxi operators.

Over the past two weeks, at least five taxi operators have been murdered, bringing to more than 130 taxi drivers killed since 1998. Among the latest victims are 41-year-old Joseph Wright, of Windsor Heights, Central Village, St. Catherine. He was shot and killed by gunmen in the community on Monday morning.

Also on Monday, the body of 54-year-old Sidney Brown was found in Orange Park, Claremont, St. Ann, two weeks after he was reported missing. The Toyota Corolla Station Wagon he used as a taxi was discovered burnt out in Kellits, Clarendon, on October 22. It is not clear whether these taxi men were red plate drivers.

Robot taxis

"It is unfortunate that some of these legal taxi operators are killed, but it is the illegal ones who align themselves with all sorts of people who they are not familiar with," said Assistant Commissioner of Police, Denver Frater.

This view was shared by Assistant Commissioner Glenmore Hinds, head of Operation Kingfish, which is now conducting a massive investigation into criminal gangs operating across the island.

It is alleged that a number of the robot taxis are owned by so-called dons. Further allegations are that these taxis are used to transport members of criminal gangs across the island.