Paula Gordon and Sheldon Williams, Star Writers

The police are now seeking a man believed to be the mastermind behind the trafficking of young boys into a sex trade throughout the Corporate Area.

Information reaching THE WEEKEND STAR is that the man operates under the disguise of being a good Samaritan who expresses interest in assisting underprivileged and displaced boys, but his true intentions are later displayed when he introduces the boys to other men for sex.

underage males

Sergeant Troy Irons from the New Kingston Police Post said that the man is responsible for trafficking underage males from several sections of the island. "He rents apartments and put up persons, mostly young males, depressed youths, people who want things," he said.

The man is believed to rent about two apartments at a time. It is alleged that at least five boys are housed in each.

Irons divulged that an operation was carried out recently at one of the apartments located in the Corporate Area. However, when the police reached the location, the man had already fled the scene. After a search of the premises only one young male was found. He was taken in for questioning by the police.

THE WEEKEND STAR also understands that the man is also wanted for larceny from a dwelling.

stolen items

Allegations are that on October 1 a report was made that he had stolen several items from one of the apartments rented to him. "When he is leaving he takes small appliances from the dwellings," Irons remarked.

The man is believed to frequent the areas of New Kingston, Montego Bay, Old Harbour and May Pen.

A source who claimed to have heard about the practices of the man expressed his disgust to the WEEKEND STAR.

"The man look bout the likkle bwoy dem ... the boy nasty yuh see man. Me seh anytime me hole him yuh see ... anytime me hole him is a day like today," the source commented.

Just recently, a group of law students of the University Of the West Indies urged local authorities to give more focus on human trafficking in Jamaica.

David Brown, chairman of logistics for the human-trafficking committee at the institution, had said the issue of human trafficking is not given the attention it deserves and more should be done to address the issue.

As a result, a number of students from the faculty took to the street last week Thursday, armed with placards and banners, sending messages that persons should discontinue the act.