The police are dismissing all rumours that the recently held Mavado's Birthday Bash was 'targeted' in an effort to find the killer of slain Assistant Commissioner of Police, Gilbert Kameka.

Police reports summarise that Assistant Commissioner Kameka was visiting a female friend in Irish Town, St. Andrew, shortly after 2 p.m. last Thursday, when three armed men entered the house.

The woman ran and the gunmen opened fire, killing ACP Kameka.

While on the crime scene, one witness reportedly informed police personnel that the vehicle which the men used to make good their escape had a promotional sticker for Mavado's Birthday Bash attached to the back.

For this reason, rumours began to circulate that the event was targeted, based on that piece of information.

Despite the obvious planning of the extensive five-hour operation conducted early Sunday morning at Temple Hall Estate, St. Andrew, police personnel are adamant that they were merely acting on strict instructions of ensuring that the party complied with the 2 a.m. lock-off time.

"The promoter for that dance was granted a 2 o'clock lock-off time, which he obviously was not complying with," director of communications for the Constabulary Communication Network, Karl Angell, said.

Mr. Angell noted that he was not familiar with any such rumours but added that "police operations are driven by intelligence."

He also explained to THE STAR that the operation was simply a security measure for what can be viewed as very serious times.

"Fifty-four people, including three police, officers were killed since last week, wouldn't you expect an increase in police activity?" he questioned, before adding that "citizens can now expect more joint military police operations" as promised by Minister of Security, Derrick Smith.

Apologise to patrons

In carrying out that 'simple' operation, however, the joint military police team reportedly recovered a Smith and Wesson pistol and a number of knives and ice picks.

After waiting close to two hours inside the venue, patrons were finally allowed to make their way to the parking area where they were again stalled for at least another hour and half, as more persons were again thoroughly searched, along with their motor vehicles.

As a result, some patrons were still parked in long lines well into the early morning hours on Sunday. And even after many had finally made their way through the exits, soldiers could still be seen combing through the bushy areas of the venue.

Following the disappointing end to Mavado's Birthday Bash, his manager, Julian Jones-Griffiths says all they can do is apologise to patrons for the way in which the show ended, as it was beyond their control.

"We would like to say thanks for the strong turnout of people who came out in the rain and supported Mavado. We kept our promise of ladies free before twelve, and they definitely took advantage of that. But we are sorry about how it ended, that was beyond our control and we would also like to thank them (the patrons) for the exemplary behaviour and for cooperating with the police. The police even said the crowd was very well-behaved and disciplined," Jones-Griffiths said.

Jones-Griffiths also added, "There was even a huge number of persons who were still on the outside trying to get in, but I guess they were the fortunate ones," who did not have to endure the extensive joint police/military operation carried out inside the venue.