THE seizure of three illegal firearms in three days featured in the St Catherine North Police Division’s report on its activities since the start of the year up to Monday, November 11 during which the cops said they removed 51 illegal firearms and 525 rounds of ammunition from the possession of criminals.

That, according to commanding officer for the division Superintendent Hopton Nicholson represented an increase over the same period last year when 46 illegal guns and 453 rounds of ammunition were seized.

Nicholson provided the information at a news conference on Monday, stating that three of the guns seized this year, along with 47 rounds of ammunition, were taken from the streets between Saturday and Monday.

During those incidents at the weekend, two men were shot dead by the police during what the cops said were confrontations. They also reported that two members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) were shot and injured during one of the incidents.

“The first one was on Saturday, November 9 shortly after midnight on Job Lane. A man attacked plain clothes police with a firearm. The police immediately took evasive action [returned fire] and the man was shot and injured. A 9mm pistol loaded with 10 rounds was seized from this man. He was transported to hospital where he was pronounced dead,” Nicholson said.

“It is to be noted that this man was seen by the police in the Old Harbour space on Friday morning sometime after 9:00 am where it appeared as if he was a labourer doing construction [work] in one of the housing schemes. He was also seen at a wake in Point Hill sometime after 9:00 pm on Saturday. The wake was unpermitted,” he said.

“We use this opportunity to remind decent, law-abiding citizens to contact the police before hiring people who are unknown to them to do work of any sort at their home or place of business. We are also asking that persons check with the police before renting your premises for business or even temporary living accommodation. You never know who you have invited in your personal space,” Nicholson said.

The second firearm was seized by members of the St Catherine Fugitive Apprehension Team who were conducting an operation in in Berry district in the Riversdale area in search of a wanted man and his cronies.

“On the approach of the police, one man engaged them in a fierce gun battle. He was shot and injured. He was later transported to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. A firearm loaded with an extended magazine, which has the capacity to hold 30 rounds, was taken from him. This magazine was found in the firearm with 14 rounds of ammunition. Another magazine loaded with 10 rounds was also seized. Two police officers received minor injuries. The injuries are not considered life-threatening at this time,” the senior policeman shared.

Nicholson also reported that on Monday, at approximately 2:00 am, a man aroused the suspicion of police who were in the process of shutting down an ‘’unpermitted’’ event in the St Jago Gardens area of Spanish Town.

“The man… was searched and a 9mm pistol with 13 rounds was taken from him. He was subsequently arrested,” Nicholson said.

“We use this opportunity to remind citizens to apply to the police and all other relevant agencies for the necessary permits to host events. The police will monitor events they are aware of and have given the appropriate permission,” Nicholson said, pointing out that intensified operational activities will continue across the division.

Nicholson also used the news conference to point to the murder of 54-year-old Sergeant Patrick Mahoney who succumbed to injuries after he was shot at his home in Portmore, St Catherine, on Thursday night. Mahoney died on Monday morning. He was assigned to the Spanish Town Police Station.

Sergeant Mahoney had arrived home just before 10:00 pm on Thursday when he was pounced upon by armed men wearing masks as he exited his vehicle.

“It is a tough time for our division. He is the third person we have lost in the past three weeks but this is the first one to violence. Our police officers, on a daily basis, are exposed to violence, whether at work or at home, and while we implore them to be as safe as possible, we want the general public to know that we will not give up this fight against crime and criminal activities and we will do all in our power to deny criminals the opportunities to commit crime,” he said.