OPERATION Kingfish, the state's premier anti-crime unit, has not set a timeline on when it plans to pull out of Montego Bay.

But when it leaves, the Stone Crusher gang - St. James' major criminal operatives - is expected to be dismantled.

Inspector Steve Brown, informa-tion officer for Operation Kingfish yesterday told The Sunday Gleaner that the methods used to nullify gangs in Spanish Town, downtown Kingston and Mudd Town, St. Andrew, are being replicated in Montego Bay.

"Based on what we are picking up on the ground, the gang is growing by the minute. But we intend to crush the Stone Crusher gang to dust," Insp. Brown said.

Late last year, Operation Kingfish was forced to establish special surveillance over Montego Bay, Jamaica's second city, after several persons were killed violently and others injuried in attacks by hoodlums. St. James police have linked the notorious Stone Cruhser gang to the many murders and other heinous crimes committed in the parish. Police say the gang is made up of mainly youngsters and they operate in communities including Glendevon, Norwood, Bottom Pen, Quarry and Salt Spring expected areas of the parish.

Great Results Expected

Insp. Brown said the police have been using an interactive community relations approach and they expect great results. He said thousands of back-to-school items have been distributed to children and the reception from the community, including various church and interest groups, has been overwhelming.

"We need to win back these communities and with the assistance of community members we will ... " the policeman added.

Operation Kingfish, which was set up in November of 2004, is mandated to fight organised crimes and reduce the inflow of drugs and guns. It has taken credit for the dismantling of the Donald 'Zekes' Phipps-led Spanglers in downtown Kingston, and the crippling of the One Order and Clansman gangs in Spanish Town, St. Catherine. Kingfish was also the unit that netted Kevin 'Richie Poo' Tyndale, the man who controlled the Giddeon Warriors, once led by Joel Andem.

"In the same way that we have toppled those gangs, we will bring down the Stone Chusher gang. We are targeting the leaders of the gang and we are going to wipe it out," Insp. Brown said.