As the security forces swarm St. James where a state of emergency has been declared, there are reports that five people, including three teenaged boys, are in police custody, and a rifle seized.

Irie FM News understands, that the three boys are said to be prime suspects in two recent murders in Montego Bay, and three cases of shooting and wounding.

Reports are that shortly after 12:30 pm today (Jan 18), members of a joint police and military team, went to Flanker, where a 16 year-old and two men were arrested.

The team then went to Rose Hall, where they carried out a search of a premises, and two other boys, aged 14 and 15 years, were held.

In the meantime, Civil Military Corporation office at the JDF Major Basil Jarrett says a high powered rifle, and 6 rounds of ammunition were seized during a separate operation in Flanker.

Shortly after noon today, members of the security forces went to an unoccupied premises in the area and after a thorough search, the weapon was found hidden in a rice bag.

No one was arrested in connection with the find.

Inspector Dian Bartley of the joint police military communications unit says the police will now rely on the ballistic and forensic technology, to determine if this particular rifle was involved in any of the several murders committed over the past 2 weeks.