By Rasbert Turner, STAR Writer

Spanish Town

Police were forced to destroy more than 40 stalls in the Linstead Market last week in a desperate attempt to crush a quickly growing extortion racket.

The extortionists, who have been operating for some time, are said to have built the stalls in the market and, in turn, forced vendors to rent them.

They were reportedly charging close to $500 for the daily use of the stalls, approximately $400 more than the fee charged by the relevant authorities.

"Yes, sah! De man dem decide say if wi nuh rent fi dem stall fi up to $500 each time, den wi affi cum out a de market, and wi caan tek dis no more. De market also waan fi fix so wi can feel safe from de bad man dem and also the elements," remarked Clover, a vendor.

Her views were echoed by other persons with whom THE STAR spoke.

When THE STAR spoke to the Linstead Police we were told that the cops, along with the St. Catherine Parish Council, were forced to destroy 43 of the stalls inside the market - all built by the thugs in an effort to make big bucks. The cops say that if the vendors refused to rent them, they were sometimes threatened and physically assaulted.

Inspector Norman McDonald of the Linstead Police Station said that the vendors had complained about the matter to them and they would continue to monitor the situation.

"We will continue strict enforcement in the area of the market with a view to removing all illegal activities while at the same time, keeping vendors inside of the market as this was the area designed for them to ply their wares," said Insp. McDonald.

While there were no arrests made in last week's operation, the police say that this was a step in the right direction. They say that they also met with the mayor of Spanish Town, along with other personnel from the St. Catherine Parish Council who are helping to deal with the vendors' concerns. He said the mayor promised to fix the market, while the police and the municipal police would maintain a presence there.

Meanwhile, head of the St. Catherine North Division, Superintendent Harry Daley, said the police are attempting to rid the market and other areas of all forms of extortion.

"We have placed more police personnel in the Linstead to Ewarton area to deal with several acts of robberies and other anti-social behaviours and it is hoped that we will reap some success," he said.