The Jamaica Constabulary Force is reporting an increase in the number of guns seized so far this year when compared with the corresponding period last year.
Police Commissioner Major General Antony Anderson disclosed on Tuesday that, as at the 4th of February 130 illegal guns had been seized by the security forces, constituting a 24 per cent increase over the corresponding period last year.
The Commissioner, speaking at a press conference, said the success achieved so far this year is in keeping with the trend noted in 2022 when 796 guns were seized, “the highest gun seizures since 2017”.
He said collaborations involving local and international partners has been fruitful in the seizure of firearms.
He also said the police have been using a more targeted approach to bringing people involved in the illegal gun trade to justice, using the provisions of the new Firearms Act.
In that regard, he stressed that the gun remains the weapon of choice in Jamaica, featuring in upwards of 85 per cent of murders and other violent crimes.
