MANCHESTER, Jamaica — The Manchester police are probing death threats made against civilians following the detention of an alleged gang leader (name withheld) of Grey Ground close to this south central highlands town.

Head of the Manchester Police Division Superintendent Wayne Cameron confirmed reports that two phone calls were made to the Mandeville police station issuing death threats that if the alleged gang leader is not released from police custody, there would be killings in Mandeville.

“My staff at the CIB informed me this morning (Monday) that two phone calls came in from a male caller making threatening remarks that if the Grey Ground gang leader is not released then they will be killing one person a day in Mandeville,” Cameron told OBSERVER ONLINE in an interview.

He said the police have launched a probe to track the call and “are doing our investigation to find out who made the call.”

The senior policeman is urging residents to remain vigilant. “We are advising residents and persons doing business in the town centres to be aware and cautious of suspicious activities observed and notify the police immediately,” he said.

Cameron said the alleged gang leader is being detained as he is to be questioned in relation to at least five murders in November and December of last year.

“If you ask the question of whether (he) will be released the answer is no because we are not done with him. We want to question him in connection with a number of murders that took place near the end of last year. One murder in November and four in December,” he said.

Among the murders in December is the Christmas Eve killing of 22-year-old vendor Richard Howard. Two men were charged in relation to that incident. However, the police theorize that it was a contract killing.

“We want to question (the alleged gang leader) in regards to that murder because our workup is suggesting that (he) may have contracted those men to commit that murder,” Cameron stated.

He said the police will be going after persons supporting the alleged gang leader.

“We believe that (he) is being supported by persons out in the community, financially and otherwise. We will be raising it [investigation] to that level to look at who those persons are offering him support and we will be targeting them,” said Cameron.

The alleged gang leader was taken into police custody last Friday morning during an operation in Grey Ground.

Kasey Williams