THE police have so far arrested three men in connection with the seizure of two guns – an M1 Spingfield Armoury rifle and a 9mm Parabellum pistol – during raids in sections of the West St Andrew on Tuesday – Nomination Day.

Police yesterday identified two of the accused as Patrick Forbes, 30, and Everton Williams, a 46-year-old businessman. The two, officers said, were held during Nomination Day activities in the vicinity of Broadleaf Road, said to be a ‘stronghold’ of the ruling People’s National Party (PNP).

The name of the other man was being withheld as he had not yet been formally charged.

According to head of the St Andrew South Police Division,

Superintendent Derrick ‘Cowboy’ Knight, Williams and Forbes were among a group of men travelling in a bus which was intercepted by the police.

“One of the men was seen passing the gun to the other and they were both held,” Knight said.

The rifle was seized yesterday about 11:30 am when police went into the same area and a group of men fled, leaving the weapon behind. The man, who was nearby, was taken into custody and was being interrogated.

Supt Knight said trouble has been brewing in the area for several weeks and the police were taking a proactive approach in an effort to prevent further violence in the area.

On Monday, Independence Day, gunshots blazed at a dance at the intersection of Olympic Way and Tower Avenue, an area known for its diehard support of the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party.

There have also been allegations that PNP supporters were shot at as they moved through the community on Nomination Day.

But Knight said the police had no evidence that politics was the reason behind the violence.

“We have been having problems in the Woodpecker Avenue, Henderson Avenue, Tower Hill and Marl Road areas. However, there is nothing to suggest that it is politically motivated,” said the police superintendent.

Residents in areas loyal to both parties alleged that political thugs were being imported into the community to fight a political war in the traditionally marginal seat of West Central St Andrew.

Knight confirmed that the police had received information about the movement of thugs but could not say if politics was the motive behind the criminal migration.

“We have heard about the infiltration of the areas by persons from other communities and it goes right across the divide. That is why we have stepped up our presence in the area and are targeting persons who are identified as strangers. We will sustain our efforts,” he said.

Knight, however, issued a warning to the gunmen.

“Our operations will continue targeting men with guns. Do not confront us. We are asking the law-abiding citizens to warn them to put down the guns or give it to someone who will turn them in,” he said.

Meanwhile, the police said yesterday that they were on the hunt for an ex-convict who they suspect was behind a number of murders and gun crimes in the New Haven community in the division.

The police gave his name as Owen McKoy, alias ‘Showtime’.

Officers said the accused man does not live in the area, but has been creating mayhem, then leaves to shelter in sections of Spanish Town and downtown Kingston.