Police investigators in Jamaica are probing the reported wealth of 129 high ranking gangsters as they continue their push to disrupt the activities of dangerous criminal gangs.
Deputy Commissioner of Police, Glenmore Hinds, says investigators have already frozen or seized numerous assets that have been traced to some of these gangsters.
DCP Hinds, who heads the police operations portfolio, says the enhanced anti-gang strategy is one of several measures that have contributed to the continued reduction in almost all categories of major crimes, evidenced by the latest crime statistics.
Police data released yesterday show that 81 murders were reported in August, 54 less than for the corresponding period last year.
The figure is also 67 less than the 146 murders reported in August 2008.
The 81 homicides reported last month is also the lowest for any one month period in the last three years and the third straight month in which less than 100 murders were recorded.
According to the statistics, shootings declined by 39 per cent, robbery fell by 22 per cent, larceny went down by 57 per cent and break-ins declined by 21 per cent.
The only category of major crime to record an increase last month was rape, which went up by 19 per cent.
The statistics also show that most of the major crimes reported in August were on Fridays, accounting for 20 of the 81 murders and 57 of 289 shootings and robberies.
DCP Hinds told The Gleaner Power 106 News that the financial investigations are much more meticulous, but said investigators have found assets hidden in the names of wives, girlfriends, family members and other associates.
He says this is one of the reasons why the police issued a public appeal last month, for the wives, girlfriends and relatives of several gang members to turn themselves in.
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