Former Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mark Shields, has taken to social media to plead with the relevant authorities to institute extraordinary measures to fight crime in Jamaica.

This plea comes in light of the latest firearm seizure that was conducted by members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) in Trelawny on Thursday.

Among the items seized includes 525 bullets, 42 magazines, 2-speed loaders, two red dot lights, five AR-5 rifles, three M16 rifles, two AK-47 rifles, one MP5, one Inta tech, and one Glock pistol.

In his tweet, Shields notes that the current crime rate, along with the list of firearms that were seized in Trelawny yesterday, is synonymous with terrorism and as such, suitable measures must be put in place to tackle such a phenom.

“Jamaica has no ordinary crime rate; 30,000 murders in 15 years require extraordinary measures to tackle the problem. Current laws are simply not fit for purpose,” Shields noted.

“The list of firearms seized by police seems more synonymous with a cache of weapons taken from a terrorist group,” Shields added.

Meanwhile, Police Commissioner, Major Antony Anderson has also pointed out that Thursday’s operations were a part of an island-wide clampdown on guns, gunmen, and gangs.

Major Anderson is pleading with citizens to provide information to the police to help to capture these individuals.

“Gunmen are moving uptown. They have acquired wealth and are living in gated communities,” Anderson noted.

“This is why it is important for persons, even in upscale communities, who see strange activities, to provide information to the police. Even with our improving intelligence, we need your help to find them,” Anderson urged.