KINGSTON, Jamaica—A man is now in police custody in connection with the seizure of an AR-15 rifle, three 9mm pistols and 100 assorted rounds of ammunition, seized by police officers assigned to the St Andrew South Proactive Investigations Unit (PIU) and Criminal Investigations Branch (CIB) during an intelligence-led operation on Cheetwood Avenue in Kingston on Tuesday.

His identity has not been revealed. The operation was reportedly carried out sometime after 11:00 am.

According to Senior Superintendent of Police Damion Manderson, investigators believe the firearms are linked to criminal gangs operating not only in St Andrew South Division, but also in St Andrew Central and other divisions within Area 4.

“This is a part of our effort in St Andrew South and the wider Area 4 on the Operation Iron Shield to rid our streets and our communities of firearms and also to see to the apprehension of wanted men,” he said.

Manderson commended the investigators involved in the seizure, including members of the PIU and the Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB), for their collaborative work and for using both traditional investigative methods and modern technology to gather evidence.

The senior superintendent said follow-up operations stemming from the seizure of the firearms and ammunition resulted in the arrest of a suspect in connection with a double murder which took place in the Mall Road area on the July 7.

The suspect is currently being questioned, and his identity is being withheld as investigations continue.

“We continue to appeal to residents. We continue to appeal to family members, to residents across the St Andrew South Division to cooperate with the police, to work with us as we continue our thrust to take down the high volume, the high number of murders and shootings and violent crimes in our division, and also to remove the guns from the streets to ensure that we have safer communities,” he added.