WESTERN BUREAU:

The St. James police have detained eight men - one of whom was wanted on a warrant for shooting and robberies committed in the Lilliput area - for questioning in connection with the crime upsurge in that division.

Corporal Peter Salkey, Constabulary Communication Network liaison officer for the parish, said three illegal firearms were also recovered during the simultaneous raids conducted in Lilliput, Norwood and Granville, on Tuesday night.

20 illegal firearms seized

To date, 20 illegal firearms have been seized in St. James since the start of this year, while 41 murders have been recorded.

Thirty-two homicides were committed for the corresponding period, last year.

"Information is that about 9:30 p.m. the police saw two men, one of whom ran on their approach, standing on a roadway in Lilliput," stated Cpl. Salkey.

The one who remained was searched and a home-made gun with a .38 cartridge was taken from him. His name is being withheld as he is to face a series of identification parades. The accused man was also wanted on a warrant. Three other men were taken into custody.

Four persons were also picked up in the community of Granville.

Later, about 11:50 p.m., the police saw a group of men in Norwood. They called out to the men who ran away. During a search of the area, two firearms were reportedly found - a .45 semi-automatic pistol, with the serial number erased, with six .45 cartridges, and a 9mm pistol, serial number G44039, containing 15 rounds of ammunition.