There is a serious guns-for-weed trade being practised between criminals from the Corporate Area and rural parishes.

THE STAR recently learnt that the trade is being done on a large scale between the men from Kingston and parishes which are known for 'weed planting'.

According to Dougie, a weed farmer from St. Elizabeth who admits to taking part in the activity, the trade has been in effect for quite some time now, but lately there has been an increase in the number of 'traders'.

"A nuh jus now, a long time we a do dis ... since lately still more and more ganja man a try it," Dougie told THE STAR.

THE STAR also learnt that as a result of the trade, weed farmers receive the guns which they claim is used for protection, while the men from Kingston receive ganja, which is sold and used for their addictive urges.

"Hear wha gwaan now, yu si cause man a plant weed, yuh have a set a man weh gwaan like seh dem waa come rob and tek weh all yu weed ... so wi haffi have some machine pon di base fi defen wi ting ... ganja man get gun fi defend dem ting an town man get weed fi sell and smoke," Dougie revealed.

Short-lived

Another individual who also admitted to being involved in such a trade confirmed Dougie's claims.

The man, who resides in a volatile Kingston community, claimed that the trade is one that will be short-lived since there are limited ganja farmers.

"Jus like how di ganja man tell yu a same suh it go ... but a nuh like seh is a ting weh a go gwaan an nah go eva stop cause a nuh like seh Jamaica a dis big place weh have millions a man weh plant weed. A time a go come when who did want gun get it aready, suh di trade a go stop," the man told THE STAR.

The men claimed that there is not a definite 'exchange rate' attached to the trade and the amounts being traded was based upon the type of guns required.

"Wi nuh have nuh set amount a weed fi nuh set amount a gun, wi jus try trade fi wah soun reasonable ... If mi want a rifle an mi mek a link an mek dem know, dem will ask mi how much weed me have ... if mi have bout a 50 pound dat good enuff fi get it, if mi want a handgun a less dan dat, put it da way ya, di bigga di gun, di more weed affi sen on," Gussie said.

Head of Operation Kingfish, Assistant Commissioner of Police Glenmore Hinds, told THE STAR that while a report of this nature is fairly new to the police, he does not think it to be impossible.

"We have not picked up on that as yet, but we're not saying it's not happening," ACP Hinds said.

He pointed out the circumstances under which such a trade would be operated. "Even if it is happening, it would only be in one or two areas, men may want a shipment of guns but can't afford it so they use weed. Also, it could very well be a diversification of trade between Jamaica and Haiti," he told THE STAR.

Both men involved in the trade with whom THE STAR spoke said that they have not encountered any trouble from the police. The men claim that they have never been subjected to any police interference while transporting the items.

"Mi neva get inna no trouble yet, wi sen up di weed inna car, pon bus, truck, even taxi ... any type a transport available wi jus work wid it ... an yu see cause di police dem probably nuh kno bout it, dat jus mek it even easier fi we," Dougie claimed.

Names changed by request