KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Corporate Communications Unit is reporting that, through the coordinated effort of police across the island, 12 firearms and 108 assorted rounds of ammunition were seized over a 24-hour period.

Commissioner of police, Dr Carl Williams, on Saturday vowed that the police force will continue its efforts to disarm criminals.

“The seizure of 12 firearms in one day demonstrates the resolve of the police… to get the guns,” Williams said. “We will continue to disarm these criminals and take them before the courts so they can be prosecuted.”

The CCU said the first incident occurred about 6:47 am on Friday, on Pouyatt Street, Kingston 14, where a team of officers attached to the Kingston Western Police Division searched premises and a .38 Taurus revolver containing three rounds of ammunition was seized.

No one was arrested in connection with this seizure, the police said.

Just over two hours later, about 9:00 am, CCU said the Spanish Town police were on operations in Dela Vega City when a double-barreled 12-gauge shotgun with two 12-gauge cartridges and a 7.62 cartridge were found in a bag in bushes. Again, the police say no one was arrested in the seizure.

Then, the Spring Mount police in St James report that about 10:15 am, during special operations in the Flamstead area, a vehicle parked on premises was searched and a Remington 870 Magnum shotgun along with 15 12-gauge cartridges found.

No arrests were made, the police said.

Minutes later, about 10:27 am, the Matildas Corner police intercepted a Nissan Note motor car with two men aboard at a plaza on Old Hope Road, Kingston 6.

The police said the occupants and motor vehicle were searched and a Glock pistol and a magazine containing 11 9mm cartridges were seized.

Both men were reportedly taken into custody, however, their identities are being withheld pending further investigations.

About midday in Cherry Gardens, Norwood, St James, the search of premises in the area led to the seizure of two firearms and the arrest of a woman and two of her male relatives. Reports are that the first weapon, a .45 pistol, was removed from a speaker box. The weapon was loaded with 10 .45 cartridges. The lawmen then discovered a Ruger 9mm pistol and two magazines, which contained 25 9mm cartridges.

The efforts of the lawmen continued when about 3:30 pm, the Half-Way-Tree police seized a .40 pistol with seven assorted rounds of ammunition on Lyndhurst Road. One man was arrested in connection with that seizure.

The Mandeville police were not to be excluded from the action as about 6:15 pm, a foot patrol team observed a man with a knapsack.

He was reportedly accosted and the bag searched. The police said the search revealed a black and chrome .38 Smith and Wesson revolver with two rounds.

The man was reportedly taken into custody.

Then about 6:40 pm, the speedy response of lawmen led to the interception of a get-away vehicle which was reportedly used by men who committed a murder in the Bull Bay area of St Andrew.

Reports are that police officers in St Thomas were alerted and the get-away vehicle was spotted, however, the assailants managed to exit the vehicle and escape in the Yallahs area.

The vehicle was reportedly searched and one 9mm pistol was found with a magazine containing eight 9mm rounds.

Then three guns were seized in Bottom Pen, Glendevon, St James, during a joint police/military operation about 10:27 pm.

Reports from the police are that the lawmen, who were on operation in the area, saw a group of men who aroused their suspicion.

The police say the men were searched but nothing was found on their person.

A subsequent search of the surroundings revealed one .45 pistol with six .45 rounds, one Glock pistol with 17 9mm rounds and one browning 9mm pistol with 11 rounds.

The police say the men were taken into custody for questioning.

Meanwhile, the police commissioner commended the teams involved in the seizure of the 12 firearms, noting that not “a single round” was fired by the police in their effort.

“This is a clear demonstration of commitment and pristine professionalism, the commissioner insisted.