KINGSTON, Jamaica — During the first quarter of 2026, six people received life imprisonment for offences including stockpiling prohibited weapons, illegal possession of firearms and unauthorised possession of ammunition, according to the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF).

In an update provided on Thursday, the force said 17 people were sentenced to more than 250 years combined for firearm-related offences, as police charged 80 people and seized 175 illegal firearms across Jamaica.

JCF said 175 firearms were recovered between January 1 and March 31, including 32 seized at ports by the Firearms and Narcotics Investigation Division (FNID). It said 99 firearms were seized in 93 incidents involving 140 assailants, while another 44 weapons were recovered without anyone being charged.

The force noted that 595 charges were laid under the Firearms (Prohibition, Restriction and Regulation) Act during the quarter. The offences included possession of prohibited weapons, unauthorised possession of ammunition and using prohibited weapons to commit felonies.

Of the 80 people charged with firearm possession, 63 were males between the ages of 17 and 75, while 17 were women aged 19 to 58.

St Andrew South recorded the highest number of firearm-related arrests and charges with 60 cases, followed by St James with 54 and Hanover with 45.

Among the cases highlighted by the police was that of 23-year-old Romani Lugg, who was sentenced to life imprisonment with eligibility for parole after 21 years after being convicted of stockpiling prohibited weapons. Lugg was arrested in Spanish Town, St Catherine, in January 2025 while allegedly carrying a firearm.

In another St Catherine North matter, 27-year-old Ronaldo Forbes received life imprisonment for unauthorised possession of ammunition and 13 years and 11 months for possession of a prohibited weapon after police reportedly found a firearm during an operation in March 2025.

Nigel Bailey, 54, was also sentenced to life imprisonment for stockpiling prohibited weapons, with parole eligibility after 20 years, in addition to 15 years at hard labour for possession of a prohibited weapon.

Police also reported that Andre Jennings of St Andrew South received life imprisonment for possession of a prohibited weapon, with parole eligibility after 20 years, as well as an additional 22 years and 11 months for unauthorised possession of ammunition.

In Manchester, Matthew Smith was sentenced to a total of 40 years after pleading guilty to firearm possession, burglary, robbery with aggravation and rape. Police said the offences were committed over a 21-day period in 2023.

Meanwhile, Ricardo Downer and Timoy Bingham were both sentenced to life imprisonment for unauthorised possession of ammunition. Both men also received additional sentences of more than 14 years for possession of prohibited weapons.

Other convictions highlighted by the police included Nickrane Mighty, Ricardo Kerr and Jamoy Chusney, all of whom received sentences ranging from 14 to 15 years for firearm-related offences.

The police said the trend continued into the second quarter, noting that Jerome Wilson and Marvin Bailey were convicted in April by the St Catherine South police. Wilson received life imprisonment for possession of a prohibited weapon and 16 years for unauthorised possession of ammunition, while Bailey was sentenced to more than 30 years for wounding with intent and over 25 years for illegal possession of a firearm.