The Constant Spring police are determined to maintain and, in some instances, intensify their presence in the Manor Park bus terminal after the arrest of two men believed to be main players in a major extortion ring there.

Acting Deputy Superintendent in charge of crime for St Andrew North, Altemorth 'Parro' Campbell, said, "We believe we have caught two of the main players in the ring. They target the taxi men and the bus men, we are not sure if they have moved over to the businesses, but we are not easing up. We won't stop until everyone is behind bars."

Money by menace

Facing up to 50 counts of demanding money by menace are Leonard Simpson, 24, of Cavaliers district, and Leighton Maitland, 31, of Cassava Piece Road, both in St Andrew. They are also charged with unlawful possession of property in relation to over $3,700, consisting mostly of $100 bills, that was found in a plastic bag one of them had. A third man eluded the police, but is known and being sought.

Covert operations

After carrying out covert and overt operations in the terminal, watching the operations for weeks, the two were arrested after money was demanded from a bus driver who had already paid them.

When he refused to pay again, they retrieved a knife from a nearby bus shed and confronted him. The driver ran and the men were arrested and charged.

Drivers who ply the downtown Kingston and Manor Park to rural St Andrew and St Mary routes are subject to heavy fees by thugs demanding $100 per trip.