KINGSTON, Jamaica — An ongoing war between two gangs in Craig Town, St Andrew, has taken a wicked twist as the syndicates have now been importing gunmen from other communities to aid in the conflict, according to the police.

The 110 and Gaza gangs have been involved in a bloody turf war over recent months, resulting in several murders and shootings.

But police said the war has taken an even more deadlier twist as the gangs, who members are known to each other, have sought and acquired help from gunmen from outside communities.

The outside gangsters are unknown to their rivals and are being used to carry out attacks and shootings in the community, the police disclosed.

This was apparently the tactics used on Sunday when 61-year-old Vincent Lyons, otherwise called ‘Shortman’, the father of one of the alleged gang leaders, was shot dead near his business place on Madden Street in the community.

That attack, police investigations have unearthed, was reportedly carried out by men from Spanish Town who were brought into the community by the Gaza gang. This gang has also imported men from Waltham Park Road.

The 110 gang, the police shared, have brought in men from Denham Town, Hannah Town and Allman Town.

Fearing reprisals and counter reprisals from Lyons’ killing, lawmen on Monday imposed a 48-hour curfew in the community.

The police also listed 11 men from the area as persons of interest. Detectives said these men can help with their investigations into the ongoing war.

Head of the Kingston Western Police Division, Senior Superintendent Michael Phipps, said crime fighters will rigorously target the gang members and their out of town cronies.

“Our immediate strategy is really aimed at going after the violence influencers within the community with a special focus to target the person, especially those who are imported into the area to use violence against residents,” Phipps shared.

“Of course, our efforts will be supported by the JDF and Specialized Operations division. And we want to urge the law-abiding citizens to support the efforts of the security forces operatives within the space,” he said.

SSP Phipps was adamant that he expected persons named as persons of interest to report to the Denham Town police no later than 6 pm Tuesday.