Lindeners complain to Prime Minister about upsurge in gang violence

Jan 17, 2023 News

Kaieteur News – Residents of the mining town of Linden, Region Ten on Saturday voiced their concerns about the increase in gang violence across the town during a visit of Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips.

The residents said there have been many cutlass attacks in the communities along the Wismar shore, which have seen several youth being injured about their bodies. As a result, the residents have called on the authorities to not only investigate the prevalence of gang violence but take actions to curb it.

The Prime Minister had visited the community of Wisroc, Linden.

The gang, popularly known as the MOB or the ‘Cayenne’ gang has been fingered in several violent and drug related incidents over the years. In 2019, there was a peak in gang related violence in Linden which led to the execution-style shooting of Ian Williams called ‘OJ’, in Amelia’s Ward.

The shooting was believed to be the result of an ongoing drug related feud between the gang and Lindener Teon Alleyne who is currently incarcerated. Williams’ execution was said to be revenge on Alleyne for opening fire on the gang member’s home. Williams was Alleyne’s cousin. His girlfriend was also shot in the ordeal.

An emotional mother, while describing a recent chopping incident that took place in Wisroc on Christmas Eve and resulted in her 19-year old son being chopped about his body, said she now fears for her life.

“Mr. Prime Minister, there is a gang in Linden that controls Linden by the name of MOB…controlling the drug trade and everything in Linden,” she said before explaining what transpired.

Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips listens to the pleas of a Wisroc mother whose son was chopped badly by gang members, as other residents look on.

The angry mother said the chopping incident involving her son occurred in Wisroc. The woman alleged that gang members ran into her home and chopped her son.

Seven other young men were allegedly attacked. The woman said she was forced to protect her child at the hospital after receiving threats from the gang and no support from the police.

“Right now, my life is in threat, I tried to make contact with the police and the police ain’t helping me. If they can be brave to chop eight young men, who looking out for we? There is nobody looking out for we and they going in the house,” she said.

Prior to the Prime Minister’s visit, several residents had taken to social media in December to express their concern over gang violence.

Member of Parliament (MP) Jermaine Figueira in a Facebook post said, “The upsurge use of illicit drugs (molly) and gang violence within the Linden community is most concerning, particularly among our young people and the use of cutlasses as the weapon of choice. The brazenness of these violent acts being committed in view of the public in different communities across Linden has to be dealt with condignly and stopped. The elected official made public calls to the regional police command, to deal with these issues seriously. “I therefore call on him to look into these serious allegations and do that which is required to prevent a potential upsurge of retaliation of vigilante justice and more criminal acts to spiral out of control.”

In response, Police Commander Hugh Winter said that the incident the woman recounted was not reported. Further, he said no formal report of gang violence and incidents have been formally reported to the police.

However, after receiving the information, Commander Winter said all efforts will be made to investigate the matter.

Meanwhile, the Region Ten Commander met with the mother on Monday. However, the woman was informed cases like her son’s are usually difficult to arrest because persons seldom provide information that would lead to capturing the criminals.