In an effort to divert police attention, some powerful area dons in the island are turning to producing music, THE WEEKEND STAR has learnt.

Dons from Kingston and St Catherine, St Elizabeth and Westmoreland have taken to the music business as they put up a 'front' while seeking profits to fund their criminal operations.

Although criminal elements have been known to seek profits by hosting events such as stage shows and parties, music production is relatively new.

Checks have revealed that at least three record labels have been associated with dons. There are also at least two songs which are high-riding on local charts that were produced by one of these labels.

aware of scheme

Assistant Commissioner of Police Les Green, head of the Serious Crimes Division (which networks with the Major Investigation Task Force and Organised Crime Investigation Division) said the police are aware of the activity.

He said certain people in the music industry along with their entourages are always under scrutiny.

Bling, the 'second in command' for a volatile east Kingston community, admitted to their involvement in music production.

"A deh suh di ting deh now eno ... If wi can mek money from show and party, it only natural wi try fi di bigga money and try di music ting straight," he said while pointing out that his boss is one such community leader who has gone into music production.

But there is a twist in the gangsters' involvement. Investigations revealed that the criminals do little or nothing in order to complete the productions.

Blacka Dog, a highly respected community leader from St Catherine, said persons are simply ordered to perform musical favours. "We nuh know how fi build riddim, suh wi jus beg a one producer sort out one fi wi. Afta dat wi link di artiste dem an tell dem seh wi have a bad riddim fi dem voice pon and wi a beg dem put sup'n pon it," he explained.

Threats take care of the promotion of the finished products. One popular selector said 'young' selectors in the business are sometimes threatened to play tunes on the thugs' labels.

"Di man dem come out inna dem numbers when dem ready but a normally di likkle man dem get dem treatment deh still... Di bigga man dem probably inna di link already so a phone call can mek and everyting sort out," said the selector.

Although profits from the new-found enterprise are not made in an instant, the thugs nevertheless say it is a good way of diverting unwanted police attention while travelling on the road to get 'real money'.

In explaining their theory, Bling said: "A real money wi want eno, an dis is a good way to it... Di money might nuh deh pon spot like when yu keep a dance but afta a while a good food can eat."

Despite their belief that this is a good way to elude the police, law enforcement officials said they are aware of the activity.

ACP Green said the police are also aware that other forms of criminal acts come into play with the new development.

"That's nothing new to us and we know that it involves human and drug trafficking," ACP Green said, while adding that the police are not easily tricked and once there is enough evidence to bring someone to justice, putting up any business venture as a front will be futile.

-- Edited by STUWY77 on Friday 5th of June 2009 02:09:20 PM