The St Mary police have launched a manhunt for two of the parish's most dangerous men who escaped from the Oracabessa police lock-up between 4 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. yesterday.

The men have been identified as Trevor East, 46, of Annotto Bay and 26-year-old Shamarie Wright, otherwise called 'Shammie' also of Annotto Bay in the parish.

East was in custody on a charge of murder and two cases of shooting with intent, while Wright was charged with four counts of murder, three cases of shooting with intent and was to face identification parades for several other crimes.

Reports are that the two, who were among a group of prisoners in a cell, escaped by removing a section of the ventilation grill.

According to a release from the Constabulary Communication Network, police personnel from various divisions in Kingston as well as from Area 2, are carrying out a massive operation, with a view to finding the men.