POLICE yesterday laid charges against an alleged gang leader, the first such involving the head of a criminal organisation under the Criminal Justice (Suppression of Criminal Organisations) Act.

He has been identified as Omar Spaulding, a 31-year-old higgler of Bread Lane in Kingston, and the alleged leader of the Scare Dem Gang, which is based in West Kingston. Spaulding was charged along with 11 other persons, including two teenagers, ages 16 and 17, who are all alleged to be gang members. The other adults charged are:

* Leon Williams o/c Coolie, 22-year-old upholsterer of Water Street, Kingston;

* Anthony Wright, o/c Bulbie, a 54-year-old taxi operator of a Christopher Road address;

* 22-year-old Derval Findley o/c Shortman, of Buff Bay, Portland;

* Orlando Harris o/c Biggy, of 22 Water Street, Kingston;

* Jermaine Fyffe o/c Timmo, 35-year-old higgler of Nelson Street, Kingston;

* Ricardo Dennis o/c Buddy Ruff, 28-year-old resident and footballer of 61 Dumfries Road, Kingston;

* Akeem Davis o/c Gallawas, 25-year-old entertainer from Nelson Street, Kingston;

* Delshawn McBean o/c Luggo, 23-year-old resident and labourer of Blunt Street; and

* 19-year-old Fabian O’Connor o/c Nicholas, a construction worker of Laws Street.

Meanwhile, the police said that Spaulding will be slapped with additional charges under the Act concerning the recruitment of the two teenagers.

Yesterday, head of Kingston Western Police Division Senior Superintendent Steve McGregor told the Jamaica Observer that the men were arrested and charged in connection with the forceful removal of residents in Christopher Lane from their homes.

“The charges against the men, we believe, have placed a major dent in the criminal underworld,” McGregor declared.

The Act, popularly dubbed the anti-gang legislation and passed in the Senate last year, makes provision for the disruption and suppression of criminal organisations.