WESTMORELAND, Jamaica — A bar operator and a party promoter were on Tuesday charged for breaching the Noise Abatement Act following a joint police/military operation in Westmoreland on Monday morning. A firearm and several rounds of ammunition were also seized.

The raid took place at the Motion City Sports Bar and Lounge in West End in Negril.

Charged are 32-year-old Sudan Tafari Lynch, bar operator, and 28-year-old Dennardo Bennett, a party promoter.

According to the police report, Bennett was charged for hosting an event without obtaining a permit. Lynch was charged for using his premises to host an unpermitted event. Other charges related to a spirit licence are still pending, the report said.

During the operation, a black 9mm firearm with 10 live 9mm rounds were seized, along with a transparent plastic bag containing 96 small ties of vegetable matter resembling ganja, a bag containing white powdery substance resembling that of cocaine, 11 cellular phones an7 offensive weapons.

Sixteen persons were also taken into custody in relation to the seizure.

Meanwhile, Deputy Superintendent of Police Adrian Hamilton, the officer in charge of operations for the Westmoreland Police Division, said notwithstanding the impending expiration of the State of Emergency (SOE), targeted operations and robust road policing activities under Operation Relentless II, will continue.

“We will continue to prioritise the relentless targeting of criminal suspects and violence influencers whilst simultaneously intensifying public order and public safety activities under Operation Reset. Additionally, the seamless collaboration of the joint forces will be intensified for maximum benefit,” DSP Hamilton emphasised.

– Kimberley Peddie