Cops target 'shoes market', 20 arrested
February 18, 2008
THE POPULAR 'shoes market' in downtown Montego Bay where two recent gangland-style murders took place was the scene of a major police operation on Friday afternoon, which resulted in some 20 persons being arrested for various criminal offences.
"This is part of the zero-tolerance approach recently announced by the commissioner of police to target areas with a high propensity of criminal activities," said Superintendent Steve McGregor, the commanding officer for St James. "We have been getting some disturbing reports about the 'shoes market' and we will be keeping a close eye on it."
Dispute between the parish council
The 'shoes market', located at the corner of Creek Street and St James Street, has been the source of a long-standing dispute between the St James Parish Council, which wants to shutdown it down, and the vendors, who are adamant that it should stay open.
In Friday's raid, which included cordon and search, Superintendent McGregor said persons were arrested primarily for the possession of offensive weapons and ganja. However, he intimated that some persons are being interviewed to determine whether or not they have been involved in other crimes.
Extortion ring inside the market
"We have information that there is an ongoing extortion ring inside the shoes market by which certain individual are demanding goods and money from vendors through intimidation," said Superintendent McGregor. "We have also got intelligence that guns and ammunition are being traded there, but we have not been able to substantiate this."
In January, 38-year-old vendor Michael 'Scorcher' Nesbeth was shot dead by armed men at the shoes market.
On February 14, another vendor, 28-year-old Dion Williams was shot dead inside the facility by a lone gunman....
Author: Adrian Frater
Source: Jamaica Gleaner
