THE St Ann police on Thursday seized a Glock 9mm pistol, 41 rounds of .380 cartridges, one 9mm cartridge and a pound of ganja during a special operation, which began in Ocho Rios and ended in St Mary.

Three persons have been arrested and charged in connection with the seizure. They are:

* Michael Rose, 32, mechanic and owner of Rio Nuevo Car Care Centre in St Mary, who is charged with possession of firearm and ammunition;

* Sherelene Rose, 23, the manager for the car care centre, who is also believed to be Rose’s sister; and

* Abbylane Wedderburn, 19, a cashier employed to the car care centre.

Both women have been charged with possession of ammunition, possession of, and dealing in ganja.

The firearm and ammunition seizure, according to the police, comes in the wake of an increase in shootings in the parish.

To date, six shootings have been reported, compared to one during the same period last year.

The police say that at about 12:30 pm Thursday, a St Ann special force squad was on patrol in the residential area of Great Pond in Ocho Rios when they spotted a green Mercedes Benz motorcar, registered 1623 DR. The police reportedly signalled the vehicle to stop, searched it and found a Glock 2240 calibre 9mm pistol with 14 live rounds and one spent shell. The police said they recovered the pistol from a section of the steel frame.

The driver, Michael Rose, was arrested and charged with illegal possession of firearm and ammunition.

He was taken to the Ocho Rios police station where he was questioned by the police. Based on information received, the police prepared search warrants and the squad then went to Rose’s home at Rio Nuevo Resort where 41 rounds of .380 cartridges, one 9 mm cartridge and a pound of ganja were reportedly seized. Two occupants of the house, Sherelene Rose and Abbylane Wedderburn, were both arrested and charged with possession of ammunition, and possession of and dealing in ganja.

Rose is booked to appear in the St Ann’s Bay Resident Magistrate’s court on Monday, to answer to the charges. The two women are to appear in the Port Maria court at a later date.

Detective Sergeant Dadrick Henry of the St Ann’s Bay police station is leading the investigations.