Jamaican Police have withdrawn a statement naming Accompong Maroon Chief Richard Currie as a person of interest in connection with the alleged barricading of seven Forestry Department workers in Quick Step, St. Elizabeth, over the weekend.
The initial statement had requested that Currie report to the St. Elizabeth divisional headquarters in Black River by 10:00 am on Monday. However, Senior Superintendent of Police Stephanie Lindsay, head of the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s communications unit, confirmed that Currie is no longer considered a person of interest and is not required to report to the police.
The incident in question involved allegations that seven Forestry Department workers were barricaded in the Cockpit Country while attempting to remove mahogany lumber from Quick Step, a community neighboring Accompong in northern St. Elizabeth.
The Forestry Department claimed to have disrupted a significant illegal logging operation and faced obstruction from over 200 community members and illegal loggers while performing their duties.
In response, the police have imposed a 48-hour curfew on the community of Quick Step and its surrounding areas, including the Pullet Hall main road and the Forest Reserves. The curfew aims to ensure the safety and security of the residents while the Jamaica Constabulary Force investigates the theft of government property, abduction, and obstruction of forest agents.
Residents are encouraged to remain calm, stay indoors, and cooperate with law enforcement and other authorities during this period, the police stated.
Read: Jamaican Maroon Chief Richard Currie named Person of Interest in Forestry Dept. stand-off
