|

News

The day the cops took out 'Bulbie'

BY KARYL WALKER Editor — Crime/Court Desk walkerk@jamaicaobserver.com

Friday, March 15, 2013



Today, as promised, we start publishing some of the stories that the Observer covered over its 20 years of existence and which we were not able to accommodate in our commemorative issue on March 7, 2013.

ON October 30, 2005, the security forces swooped down on a palatial home in the rustic district of Tanaky, nestled in the hills of Clarendon, where the nation's most wanted man, Donovan 'Bulbie' Bennett, had been holed up.

Bennett, the then leader of the notorious Klansman gang, had been on the police wanted list for over a decade for murder, shootings, extortion and other serious crimes.

He however had managed to elude the police and take command of the murderous Spanish Town-based gang which ran a massive multimillion-dollar extortion ring.

The police report that as they approached the house they were fired on, and during a shoot-out, Bennett and his driver, identified only as 'Nathan', were killed.

Police say they found Bulbie clutching a .50 Desert Eagle pistol and a Ruger pistol was taken from the body of his driver. A quantity of cash and a large amount of jewellery were also found in the house.

At the time of his death, Bulbie's wealth was estimated at over $100 million. Police also said he had involvement in more than 100 murders.

During the days following his death, members of Bulbie's gang and persons loyal to him rioted by blocking roads in and around Spanish Town, firing on the Spanish Town Police Station and burning T-shirts with the image of then National Security Minister Dr Peter Phillips.

Two cops were shot and injured during the rioting and a Jamaica Urban Transit Company bus, a motorcar, and a section of the bus terminus were set on fire.

Bennett came to national attention after Heather Robinson, then the ruling People's National Party member of parliament for South St Catherine, used him as a metaphor for the emerging politically aligned 'dons' and warned her parliamentary colleagues to stay away from such figures.

Robinson was forced to quit politics after receiving scant support from her colleagues on the issue.



POST A COMMENT

HOUSE RULES

 

1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper – email addresses will not be published.

2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.

3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.

4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.

5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.

6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.

7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy



comments powered by Disqus

Three social issues for Sectoral Debate

 

Principal strives to keep Padmore Primary open

 

INDECOM says law outdated

 

Chinese lament waste of money on Sligoville mini-stadium

 

VIDEO: Government looking at violence insurance for teachers

 

Firefighters battle blaze for more than 12 hours

 

St Mary Infirmary staff welcome Labour Day project

 

Nigerian-born dentist was on criminal charge

 

IMF not the answer, says pastor

 

Nobody saw death of Islington woman coming

 

Donald Ellis still shining at 101

 

Should a blind man be named Senate President?

 

Slain cop buried with full constabulary honours

 

Why wasn't Senator Morris better prepared?

 

Swallowfield Chapel hails the mothers

 

Positive turnaround for Flanker

 

RM Pusey gets tough on cops

 

James sees a Grenada 4x400 team to beat the world

 

Craft producers benefit from year-long training

 

Caribbean will dominate global saving and investment says World Bank

 

Today's Cartoon