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Capt. Garth Anderson
5.14.
Intelligence reports were made available to senior officers of the
JDF and JCF who were engaged in joint planning of the operation. For example,
Capt. Garth Anderson, who was Commanding Officer, Bravo Company of 2JR,
said at para.4 of his witness statement –
“4. Intelligence further revealed that gunmen loyal to Mr.
Coke had used sandbags to establish several fighting
positions throughout Tivoli Gardens and surrounding
communities further enhancing their fighting capabilities and
ability to resist the security forces and indicating their
resolve to engage members of the security forces in a
vicious battle and prevent the capture of Mr. Coke.”
5.15.
He continued at paras.5 and 6:
“5. Intelligence reports further indicated that Mr. Coke had
solicited heavily armed gunmen, approximately 350-400,
from several communities across the Island to bolster the
numbers of those gunmen already residing within the
community to make the community a fortress and resist any
attempts by the security forces to execute the warrant and
apprehend Mr. Coke. It should be noted that this number of
gunmen would almost be the equivalent of a full strength
infantry military battalion.
6. The morale of these gunmen was assumed to be
extremely high owing to the fact that they were reportedly
being paid up to J$100,000 for their ‘loyalty’. It was also
reported that these gunmen were armed with an array of
high-powered rifles and handguns, including but not limited
to AK47s and a Grizzly .50 calibre sniper rifle, rocket
propelled grenades (RPGs), and various forms of explosives
which were used to reinforce some of the barricades and set
booby traps especially along the southern approach. The
gunmen were also reported to be dressed in uniforms similar
to those worn by both the JDF and the JCF.”