Several thugs who were recently listed as persons of interest by the police say their names have been tarnished and they are now being labelled as informers in their communities.

Checks by THE WEEKEND STAR have revealed that a number of these men from communities within the Corporate Area and St Catherine are now trying desperately to hold on to their 'tough-guy' image, as their counterparts believe they 'leaked' information to the police.

The men were detained following the May 24 incursion of Tivoli Gardens and its environs in west Kingston. The police had released the names of at least 30 men from various communities in the Corporate Area and St Catherine who they asked to turn themselves in. Majority of the identified men did so and were kept for a period of time before being released.

In one central Kingston community, one man who turned himself in to the police some two months ago, claimed since his release from custody he has noticed that a number of persons who were once close to him have been keeping their distance.

taken into custody.

He also claimed to hearing word being circulated in the community that he is a police informer and helped them with information when he was taken into custody.

"Wi know this a something weh di police dem plan eno, dem nuh waa see di togetherness so dem tek wi inna custody and dem call up other man name fi mek it look like seh a who dem did hold a call man name," the 32-year-old man who strongly requested anonymity reasoned.

According to him, persons told him that while he was in custody, the police visited his community and asked for the whereabouts of a number of men while claiming that they were tipped-off.

Another well-known thug Sniper, from a notorious St Catherine-based gang, told THE WEEKEND STAR that he too heard similar claims from persons after he was released from police custody recently.

Though he is feared by many, Sniper says that has not stopped the rumours from circulating and even added that it has caused segregation and animosity among members of the gang.

"It a cause a whole heap a friction inna wi ting and dat dangerous cause as simple as it sound, it can start big war. A di police dem a do it still eno but some man jus' feel like seh dem fi believe even though dem know seh mi a real warrior weh dem a par wid fi years and know mi naw sell dem out," he said. "Yea mi see man stop come roun mi certain ways like me and him inna war or suppen."

low profile

When THE WEEKEND STAR contacted another member of the gang, he admitted that he was one of those who has been keeping a low profile, as informers were indeed helping the police. He, however, did not give a name as to who he thought the informer might be.

"If yu see how di police dem work yu will see seh dem definitely a get information. All of a sudden dem know every man name or alias. Mi naw point no finger still but it best mi gwaan stay to miself fi now," the 24-year-old said.

In a recent interview with THE WEEKEND STAR, CIB Head, Assistant Commissioner Les Green, said police intelligence suggested that putting pressure on members of the criminal underworld has caused some amount of discomfort among them.

He said the police would be continuing with such efforts as they look to hinder the operations of these criminals.