Jamaica’s tourism industry rebounded from the economic fallout caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic to record three consecutive quarters of growth in 2021.

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, has announced further revisions of the coronavirus (COVID-19) containment measures under the Disaster Risk Management Act (DRMA), effective Friday (February 11).

The Government is proposing to spend a total of $912 billion for the 2022/23 fiscal year.

NZINGA King, who alleged that she was forcibly trimmed by a cop while in custody, could face charges for creating public mischief following a ruling handed down by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) on Wednesday.

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, will
be leading a special Ministerial team that will tour the flood-damaged parishes of St.
Ann, St. Mary and Portland today, Wednesday, February 9, to assess conditions
and pave the way for further interventions to assist affected parishioners.

Police have now laid charges against eight persons who were arrested
during a predawn operation by a joint Police/Military team in Old Harbour, St. Catherine on
Monday, February 7.

The men have been identified as:
1. Richard Gregory Snr, otherwise called ‘Boswell’, 45-years-old vendor of Old Harbour
Road, St. Catherine.
2. Allando Gregory, otherwise called ‘Dulass’, 50-years-old carpenter of Gregory Park,
Portmore, St. Catherine.
3. Sadeki Gregory, otherwise called ‘Salo’, 30-years-old of Old Harbour Road, St. Catherine.
4. Brandon Gregory, otherwise called ‘Popo’, 20-years-old of Richmond St. Mary.
5. Jordan Gregory, otherwise called ‘Sham’, 22-years-old, unemployed of Richmond, St.
Mary.
6. Richard Gregory Jr, 19-years-old of John’s Road, Catherine.
7. Oshin Gregory, otherwise called ‘Lisa’, 24-years-old, shopkeeper of Dempshire Pen, St.
Catherine.
8. Amoy Palmer, otherwise called ‘Abbie’, 21-years-old of Gordon Pen, St. Catherine.

All have been charged with breaches of the Copyright Act, the Excise Duty Act and the Spirit
Control Act; and are scheduled to appear before the Kingston and St. Andrew Parish Court on
March 29, 2022.

Reports are that between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., a team of police and military
personnel entered a premises where they uncovered an illegal bottling operation with counterfeit
liquor. The team discovered hundreds of bottles, labels of popular local liquor brands, a bottling
machine and several cases of raw material. Eight people were arrested.

The team also seized approximately JMD $218,000 in cash.

As the investigations continue, citizens are being warned to take precautions and examine the
labels of packages when making purchases and use license retailers/wholesalers.

Five wanted men have been captured by the Kingston Western Police over the
last two weeks. The men were wanted in connection with several serious crimes committed within
the division.

They have been identified as:
1. Twenty-eight-year-old Rushane Samuels otherwise called ‘Son Son’ of McKenzie Drive,
Kingston 14. He has been charged with two counts of murder and two counts of shooting
with intent. He was also featured on the JCF’s Wanted Wednesday Campaign in 2021.

2. Twenty-seven-year-old Romario Powell otherwise called ‘Rory’ and ‘Worry Dem’ of no
fixed address. He was charged jointly with Samuels with two counts of murder and two
counts of shooting with Intent.

3. Twenty-four-year old Jermaine Brown otherwise called ‘Do the Maths’ of Pink Lane,
Kingston 14. He was charged with escaping custody.

4. Twenty-one-year-old Jermaine Barham otherwise called ‘Price Right’ of Fourth Street,
Trench Town, Kingston 12. He was charged with rape and burglary.

5. Twenty-four-year-old Collin Townsend otherwise called ‘Jo Jo’ of Jones Town, Kingston
12.  He was charged with rape.

The police continue to crack down on guns, gunmen and gangs as surge operational activities
result in the capture of wanted men and the seizure of illegal weapons.

Meanwhile, the police are asking citizens with information on criminal activities to contact the
Police Emergency Communication Centre at 119, Crime Stop at 311, Operation Kingfish at 811
or the nearest police station.