The Umbrella gang, considered Portmore's most notorious criminal network, suffered another body blow to its collapsing structure recently when five of its members were denied bail for shooting with intent and illegal possession of firearm in the Corporate Area Gun Court.

The five, who are already facing murder charges for the November 16, 2010 double murder of former Waterford High School goalkeeper Okeeffee Lewis and his stepfather, Leonard Hamilton, were granted bail in that matter in the Half-Way Tree Resident Magistrate's (RM) Court earlier this year.

However, within two weeks of being granted bail, police said the five were allegedly involved in an attempt to regain territory they had lost while behind bars, resulting in a shooting incident on June 9 in Newlands.

They were again detained in separate operations, including two being held at the Half-Way Tree RM Court, much to the protest of their attorneys.

The investigating officer, district constable Jason McKay, brought charges against the five on information that a witness had identified the gang members, during identification parades, as the men who had fired at him.

The witness said he had known the men all his life, grew up in the same community with them, and had a chance to observe them before being attacked.

The case continues on October 19 in the Corporate Area Gun Court.

The Umbrella gang has for years held sections of Portmore in an iron grip, allegedly committing 31 murders in a single calendar year before being reined in by the St Catherine South police.