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5.61.
The Commission was shown electronic and photographic images
purporting to be evidence of what was found and handed over to the JCF. In
addition to weapons and ammunition, we saw photographs of -
•
packages filled with pieces of steel 3 – 4 inches long;
•
uncovered manhole set as a trap to cause injury;
•
a box packed with explosive materials and detonating wire
fixed and placed in a car tyre;
•
Molotov cocktails
Methodology of Engineers’ Searches
5.62.
Lt. Col. Cummings gave evidence of the manner in which the
Engineers conducted searches. He began by saying that they used their
knowledge of construction to analyse houses and other places where firearms
and ammunition might have been stored. He said –
“We looked inside houses for signs of recent activity
inconsistent with the property. We went house to house in
Tivoli Gardens in its entirety. I brought the two Squadrons
into Tivoli and divided the area. One Squadron covered
Rasta City; the other covered the rest of Tivoli Gardens. We
searched grounds, buildings and surroundings and we
exchanged personnel on the second round of searches. We
brought a number of metal detectors. The Squadrons were
broken down into search teams led by a NCO. They would
approach a building and make an assessment and then they
were dispatched on various tasks. Where we disturbed
property, we sent teams back to do repairs. We entered
hundreds of buildings. I saw no wanton destruction of
property but there were cases where residents complained
of damage to property in the course of searching.”
5.63.
When cross-examined by Mrs. Mayhew, Lt. Col. Cummings testified
as to damage done to properties. He said –
“Where a house was locked, we enquired about the owner.
In some instances we had to gain entry under the 2007
Emergency Regulations. Grills may have been sawn off.