ST CATHERINE, Jamaica — The St Catherine South Police say more than 10 men believed to be members of gangs operating in the Newlands community in Portmore, St Catherine have been taken into custody.

Their names are being withheld pending further investigations.

Commanding Officer in charge of the St Catherine South Police Division, Senior Superintendent (SSP) Clive Blair told OBSERVER ONLINE yesterday afternoon that the spate of shootings in the area is of great concern.

“There is a gang feud that exist between the Umbrella, the Tana Lane and the Wettam Lane gangs that has resulted in a number of shootings,” SSP Blair said.

“This morning, a cordon and search  operation was conducted in the Newland space and as a result of that, 11 to 15 persons were taken into custody for questioning and are being processed. Up to now that process is still going on,” he explained.

For months now residents of Newlands have been experiencing their fair share of violence.

“They are fighting for turf, for control of the area, for space and that in itself is creating

 some serious concerns for us, hence the reason why we have to step in as quickly as possible to dissolve the situation and to look at the players involved in these gangs,” Blair added.

He also said that the series of operations will assist the police in apprehending individuals who are known players in the gang feud.

Last Tuesday, members of the Counter Terrorism and Organised Crime Investigation Branch arrested a member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force after he was held with a nine millimetre pistol and an AK 47 rifle in the community.

The Observer was told that a file has been sent to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for assessment.

Racquel Porter