SAVANNA-LA-MAR, Westmoreland — More than 300 assorted rounds of ammunition, mostly used in high-powered rifles, were recovered by the Westmoreland police Thursday as they stepped up operation to curtail major crimes in Jamaica's westernmost parish.

According to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Winston Milton, who is in charge of operations in the Westmoreland Division, the ammunition and one AK47 magazine were found in a black plastic bag hidden under thrash at an abandoned premises in an area called Gully Bank.

"Over the last couple of weeks, the Westmoreland police have intensified its operations in the division in a bid to reduce the frequency of major crimes and to further disrupt the activity of some major gangs operating in the division," DSP Milton told the Jamaica Observer.

The ammunition recovered include 103 7.62 mm cartridges used in AK 47 rifles; 39 5.56mm cartridges used in M16 rifles; 168 .22 cartridges and three

.38 cartridges.

No one was arrested in connection with the find.

However, DSP Milton pledged to sustain

the campaign.

"We will continue on this operation with an aim of reducing the figures of major crime in the parish," DSP Milton promised.

Meanwhile, the Westmoreland police have arrested and charged a man with illegal possession of firearm and ammunition following Tuesday's recovery of a handgun in Grove Land in the parish.

However, the police have refused to disclose his identity saying that he might be required to face an identification parade as investigations continue.

Reports are that the police recovered a Heckle and Koch 9mm pistol with serial number 4049643. The weapon was loaded with a magazine containing eight 9mm cartridges in an abandoned building.

The police believe that the gun was used in the shooting and injuring of a 20-year-old labourer in the Grove Land community on Monday night.

The Westmoreland police have recovered 25 illegal firearms since the start of the year.