Police Officers Face Charges & Explusion In Vybz Kartel Case

Several law enforcement officials face internal charges regarding the ongoing legal cases against prominent Dancehall entertainer, Adidja Palmer aka Vybz Kartel and alleged matters which have taken place during the deejay's incarceration.

According to media reports, nine police personnel, as well as a high-profile inmate at the Gun Court Remand Centre in St. Andrew, were slapped with several internal charges on Monday after allegedly involving in corrupt acts. This following an in-depth investigation by the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF); recommending severe punishment for their alleged acts in the Vybz Kartel matter.

Each of the accused face sanctions in relation to allegations that they accepted money and other gifts in effort to afford Vybz Kartel several special privileges. Reportedly, police allowed a visitor of the popular deejay a visit within a restricted area of the lock-up while given the opportunity to talk on a cellular phone without permission. Additionally, video recordings and other forms of evidence were reportedly captured of these acts taking place.

As a result, the nine law enforcement officials face expulsion from the JCF for their actions as they will attend a disciplinary hearing in the near future to hear their fate. ACB head, Justin Felice intimated that the evidence will be reviewed by Commissioner of Police, Owen Ellington before sending all relevant findings to the courts for the aforementioned hearing.

However, none of the accused officers in the matter face criminal charges for their actions, according to Felice, because punishment for such an offence differs when taking place in a police lock-up compared to a correctional facility. Nevertheless, should the matter be taken before the court of enquiry and the members are found guilty, the police personnel could be dismissed from the force.

Vybz Kartel faces two murder charges, two obstruction of justice related charges, amongst others in relation to the shooting deaths of Barrington “Bossie” Burton in St. Catherine and Clive “Lizard” Williams in Havendale, St. Andrew. The Portmore Empire leader also faces a ganja possession charge stemming from his initial arrest at a New Kingston hotel last September.