Operation Zero yields early success in Norwood, St James

The St James police have made an early breakthrough under Operation Zero, an initiative that was launched on Wednesday morning in the Norwood community, which remains under a Zone of Special Operations (ZOSO).

The operation led to the seizure of an illegal firearm, nine rounds of ammunition, and lottery scamming paraphernalia.

Several individuals have been taken into custody, including two persons who were detained in connection with the ammunition find.

Norwood has been under ZOSO designation since June 2021, and notably, the community did not record a single murder last year. Operation Zero aims to replicate that success.

“This morning  about 4am we launched an operation dubbed Operation Zero. This in relation to maintaining zero murders in the space of Norwood.

“Last year we had zero murder here, and we intend to keep it that way for this year,” remarked ground commander for the Zones of Special Operations in Norwood and Mount Salem in St James, Deputy Superintendent of Police Ainsley McCarthy.

“With respect to the first find, the 9mm Glock pistol, no one was taken into custody. This weapon was found under an abandoned building, along with some lead sheets that are used in lottery scamming.

“Several persons were taken into custody at different locations, who we have interest in. These persons will be interviewed and where charges can be laid, we will be laying charges against those persons,” added McCarthy.

Since the start of the year the St James police have recorded a 67 per cent decrease in murder.

“St James, throughout the entire island, is the biggest decrease in murders. So we are doing exceptionally well in St James,” said McCarthy.

Photo Caption:

Police and military personnel on Operation Zero security activities in Norwood, St James on Wednesday.