Glenroy Sinclair and Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Reporters

An aerial view of a section of the sprawling Portmore community in St. Catherine. - Norman Grindley/Deputy Chief Photographer

Portmore Mayor George Lee says he has uncovered a plot by a powerful Spanish Town gang to facilitate the movement of a large stock of illegal guns into one of the underdeveloped communities in the Sunshine City.

While not disclosing the exact location where the guns are going, the mayor said yesterday he was of the belief that the guns are being stockpiled to be used in the impending general election, which is constitutionally due this year.

His comments came a week after Police Commissioner Lucius Thomas disclosed that police intelligence suggests that there has been increased movement and an accumulation of illegal guns in various parts of the island.

Information credible

LEE

"I won't say anything more at this time, because I will be speaking with the police some time next week," said Mayor Lee, who claimed the information he had was credible.

But checks by a Gleaner news team have revealed that the community where it is believed the guns are heading is located to the east central point of Portmore. It is one of several small communities in the Naggo Head division, where just under 4,000 people reside.

These communities include Newland, Southborough and Naggo Head. Allegations are that Naggo Head is notorious for an extortion racket at the car park in the centre of the community. Southborough is relatively calm and Newlands is more politically influenced.

Mr. Lee brought the matter to the attention of his colleagues Wednesday evening during a monthly meeting of the Portmore Municipal Council in St. Catherine.

"It is a sad day that criminal elements are allowed to stock guns. I have not named the community, but if it continues, I will be forced to do so," said Mayor Lee.

When contacted, head of the St. Catherine South Police Division, Superintendent Terrence Bent, acknowledged receipt of reports of a similar nature, but pointed to another community in the northern section of Portmore.

"We are in the process of investigating this matter as it will not be taken lightly and it's about a week now that the police received the information," he said. "We are conducting checks to ascertain if what we are hearing about these guns is real".