A police vehicle drives out of the Half-Way Tree Police Station with dogs they took from Dog Paw's home during a raid early yesterday. - Norman Grindley
Leah Tavares-Finson, daughter of attorney Tom Tavares-Finson and former Miss World Cindy Breakspeare, was released yesterday after being detained in an operation in the Kintyre area of St Andrew.
The 23-year-old, who is also the sister of entertainer Junior Gong, was allegedly detained during an early morning raid which was carried out in an attempt to capture Christopher Linton, otherwise known as Dog Paw.
Dog Paw, who managed to escape the police dragnet, was reportedly armed with an AK-47 assault rifle. His name is on a list of wanted men who police were advising to turn themselves in for questioning.
The police said that yesterday morning they went to the premises where Leah was seen and detained. She was later taken to the Half-Way Tree Police Station.
The police also detained two men and confiscated several dogs during the operation.
Sources told THE STAR that the young woman was eventually released yesterday after being questioned in connection with the criminal activities of the 'Dog Paw' gang which operates in the community.
Leah Tavares-Finson - Winston Sill
However, her attorney, Jacqueline Samuels-Brown, said that the police did not notify her about this.
Samuels-Brown said her client has "assured me that she intends to give the police her fullest cooperation in relation to whatever matter they think she can be of assistance to them."
The security forces have been cracking down on crime since a state of emergency was declared in late May following the issuing of the warrant for the arrest of Christopher Coke, who is now in custody facing extradition to the United States on drug and gun-running charges. If found guilty, Coke, more popularly known as 'Dudus', faces a lengthy jail term that could exceed 20 years.
Coke was taken into custody on Tuesday near the border of Kingston and St Catherine.