Police arrest five more suspects in Operation Transportation Streamline
KINGSTON, Jamaica – Five more persons were arrested in downtown Kingston on Friday as operatives from the Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch (PSTEB) and the Criminal Investigation Branch (CTOC) continued their crackdown on extortion against public passenger vehicle (PPV) operators.
Known as Operation Transportation Streamline, the crackdown has resulted in 21 arrests for extortion and breaches of the Road Traffic Act.
READ: WATCH: Seven arrested for extortion in Half-Way-Tree
Operation Transportation Streamline, which was launched on September 4, is a joint initiative involving the police, the Transport Authority, and Island Traffic Authority. The operation is aimed at addressing a number of issues in the PPV industry, including extortion, overcharging, vehicular defects, and undisciplined driving.
According to a release from the police, over 60 persons have been arrested and charged for overcharging passengers since the start of the operation. Meanwhile, over 50 registration plates have been removed for vehicular defects, and persons charged. And more than 1,000 traffic tickets have been issued to PPV operators for various breaches of the Road Trafic Act.
The police are urging members of the public to report incidents of extortion of any sort. Reports can be made to Crime Stop at 311, Police Emergency at 119, or the PSTEB Tip Line at (876) 591 5671.