WESTMORELAND, Jamaica – Four illegal firearms were seized in Westmoreland last week in a series of police operations.

Last Sunday, the Westmoreland police also seized a revolver with two .38 cartridges and two 9milimetre rounds of ammunition during an operation in the district of Russia. A woman and a man, identified as Carol Boothe and Levi Blake, were charged with illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.

On Monday, a 9 millimetre Browning pistol containing eight rounds was seized in Ricketts River, Frome. A man identified as Deno Kongal was charged in relation to that seizure.

Three days later, a Taurus 9mm pistol and a shotgun were found on Barracks Road and Seaton Crescent. No arrest was made in connection with that seizure.

There has been a 38 per cent increase in the number of murders recorded in Westmoreland since the start of the year with 77 murders recorded when compared to 56 murders for the corresponding period last year. There has been a two per cent decline in the number of shootings with 69 such cases recorded.