NCJ Number
127325
Date Published
1990
Length
23 pages
Annotation
This overview of the illicit activities of Jamaican "posses" in New York State covers narcotics and firearms trafficking, violent crime, operations, mobility, and money laundering.
Abstract
The posse concept, which originated in the ghettos of Kingston, Jamaica, has spread internationally, and posses are now based in New York City and other major U.S. cities. Posses have grown from small marijuana distributors to become nationwide distributors of cocaine/crack. In addition to cocaine/crack distribution, posses engage in money laundering, firearms trafficking, fraud, robberies, kidnaping, and homicides. Posses are characterized by an unprecedented willingness to use violence in all of their activities. Law enforcement officials have identified 40 posses operating within the United States, with an estimated membership in the thousands. New York City is the hub of activity for most Jamaican posse members, specifically Brooklyn and the Bronx. Currently, the largest, most violent of the posses is the Shower Posse, followed by the Spangler Posse. Posse members are highly mobile and use different names in each city, making infiltration difficult and dangerous. A central information bank on the criminal activities of Jamaican law violators is required along with communication among law enforcement agencies regarding posse leaders. Appended detailed information