Minister of National Security, Derrick Smith, has lauded the work of the Counter Narcotics and Major Crimes Task Force (Operation Kingfish) in its efforts to fight major crimes in Jamaica.

The minister, who was speaking at a press briefing held recently at the ministry's Oxford Road offices, on the occasion of the task force's third anniversary, said that "Kingfish has been one of the most successful and celebrated national security projects ever introduced in this country and I wish to commend you and congratulate you wholeheartedly, on behalf of the Government and people of Jamaica".

Since its inception, Operation Kingfish has received more than 2,000 actionable calls and has mounted more than 2,000 operations leading to the recovery of nearly 300 firearms and in excess of 21,000 rounds of assorted ammunition, 567 arrests and the seizure of thousands of pounds of drugs, including cocaine, ganja and hash oil.

In addition, some 100 wanted persons have been apprehended, five illegal airstrips disabled and more than 80 illegal aliens detained. For the period January to September, Operation Kingfish carried out 607 operations and firearms, drugs and ammunition were seized.

He also commended the task force on its highly successful prosecution rate.