By Dwayne Mcleod, STAR Writer

Several of Jamaica's top 'shottas' and wanted men have been 'bleaching' their faces in desperate attempts to elude the police and their enemies.

Some of the men go even further than just bleaching their faces by colouring and adding texturiser to their hair and getting tattoos. THE STAR has learnt however, that bleaching seems to be the most favoured method.

According to Jumbofrom southern Kingston, he decided to lighten the complexion of his face after he became involved in a series of criminal activities which .would have stirred up police attention. "Mi naw tell yu nuh lie enuh my yute. mi did inna some likkle tings weh ago mek police start pree enuh, an mi nuh really waa tek weh miself from di place, suh mi jus decide seh mi ago lighten up enuh ... switch di style pon dem," He told THE STAR.

Another man, Foodiewho resides in a very volatile community in eastern Kingston claimed he also changed his physical features. He said that he was well - known to the police and was being sought by several enemies with whom he was feuding. "A long time mi a bad, an nuff a di police dem an man from odda place who wi bus shot afta know mi face, so mi affi try throw dem off. yu si mi mek dem affi wonda," he said.

Foodie, who was once very dark, is now of a light complexion and has added tattoos to his arms and neck. "Everyting mi do work good. All di girl dem love di new look," he told THE STAR while laughing and showing off his tattoos.

The men claim that while their new looks may not mislead individuals who have known them over a long period, it works well on others who are not too familiar with their original features.

Both men admitted to THE STAR that they have also changed the colour of their hair from time to time and added texturiser.

"If u close to mi or know mi from long time u a go know seh a try me a try a ting, but if yu nuh kno mi yu cyaa have nuh idea," Foodie said.

These two men are not the only bleaching shottas. The police say that on May 20, when reputed leader of the Stone Crusher Gang, Rohan 'Don' Gordon, was killed after a gun battle with them.