KINGSTON, Jamaica, Dec 10, CMC – The Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) has confirmed that a soldier believed to be heavily involved in a deadly gang conflict has been discharged and that it is assisting the police in an investigation involving a man, who is now an ex-service member, surrounding his alleged involvement in the gang feud.
“The ex-service member in question was formally discharged and detained by the JDF, before being handed over to the police, and has been formally charged,” the JDF said in a statement without identifying the person.
“While we cannot provide specific details at this time due to the ongoing police investigation, we want to assure the public that we are committed to transparency, accountability, the rule of law, and due process. We will continue to work closely with the JCF (Jamaica Constabulary Force) on this sensitive matter in order to ensure that justice is served and the integrity of the organisation is upheld,” the JDF said in the statement.
Last week, the JDF acknowledged that one of its members had been arrested by the police for questioning in connection with criminal activities and that it was supporting JCF in its probe.
“The JDF is fully cooperating with the JCF in its investigation and remains committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and discipline among its members,” it said then.
Last week, 25-year-old Garrick Lewis, was charged with acquisition of criminal property, engaging in a transaction involving criminal property, facilitating the use of criminal property, and receiving stolen property. He had been implicated in a phishing scam that reportedly defrauded National Commercial Bank of J$47 million (One Jamaica dollar=US$0.008 cents), had been charged.
Lewis’s arrest came days after another member of JDF was charged when a vehicle driven by him was searched at Cannonball Gate, the main entrance to JDF’s Up Park Camp headquarters in St Andrew, and several weapons and ammunition were found.
JDF said the search also uncovered a taser gun, a pair of binoculars, a laser flashlight with charger, two black infrared lasers with two attachments, a combat knife, a pistol holster, a handcuff with key, a rifle scope, pistol sight containing 10 Allen keys with screw, a pepper spray, a red dot optic sight (used on rifles), a pair of gloves, and six used plastic gloves.
He was detained and later charged with possession of prohibited weapons and unauthorised possession of ammunition.
That arrest came almost one month after a member of JDF, Chevin Buchanan, otherwise called Sojie, was among three people charged following the seizure of an illegal firearm and ammunition
CMC/a/f/ir/2024