The police are maintaining a strong police presence in the community of Quick Step to offer support to members of the Forestry Department following a standoff with residents in the community last Friday.
Quick Step is located in the Cockpit Country, on the border of St. Elizabeth and Trelawny.
Members of the Forestry Department, along with police personnel, were reportedly attacked by residents as they attempted to retrieve lumber said to be illegally logged.
The trees cut include the Blue Mahoe, Jamaican Mahogany and the Bitterwood tree.
It’s reported that about 200 residents refused to clear the blockade and facilitate the exit of the department’s personnel and the police.
Operations Officer for the Area Three headquarters, Superintendent David White, provided an update on Monday.
Superintendent David White, Operations Officer for the Area Three headquarters.
A 48-hour curfew is now in force in the community and its environs, including the Pullet Hall main road and the Forest Reserves.
Chief of the Accompong Maroons, Richard Currie, claims that his team was acting to stop the activity.
He says the residents of ‘Quick Step’ are the rightful owners of the Cockpit Country lands.
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