Government forensic experts have begun processing the cache of 13 illegal guns seized yesterday morning in Kingston. The weapons and more than 300 assorted rounds of ammunition, with an estimated street value of $1.8 million, are suspected of being part of the drugs-for-guns trade between Haiti and Jamaica.

Reports are that the guns and ammo were seized following a high-speed chase and brief shoot-out which claimed the life of a man who was a passenger in one of two cars the police had signalled to stopped.

Up to late yesterday afternoon, the police said the dead man had been identified only as 'Rasta'. He is believed to be the driver of a taxi that plies the Spanish Town-Naggo Head route in St Catherine.

Three other persons who were in the vehicles, including a man police described as the mastermind, have since been detained by members of Operation Kingfish who were assisted by the Special Anti-Crime Task Force and the Kingston Central police in the operation.

"This is a group that we have a particular interest in. They are responsible for smuggling dozens of guns into Jamaica over the past 18 months," head of Operation Kingfish, Assistant Commissioner Glenmore Hinds, told The Gleaner yesterday.

For the profit

He said the group seemed to be in the gun-smuggling business only for the profit, as there was no evidence to suggest they were affiliated with any gangs.

"They usually operate between Spanish Town and Clarendon," said ACP Hinds.

The police believed the group picked up the guns in the coastal area between Bull Bay and St Thomas. They were heading towards Hellshire, St Catherine, when they were apprehended.

Reports are that they ignored the lawmen's signal to stop, resulting in a chase that ended at Heroes Circle.