The police say they are concerned about the developing trend of criminals transporting illegal guns through bus drivers travelling between rural and urban areas.

The cops say they have been following the situation and have made numerous recoveries in that respect.

"We know criminals will use bus and taxi drivers to transport guns from point A to point B because they suspect they are less likely to be searched. They also suspect that the passengers in these vehicles will be afraid to speak," said Deputy Commissioner of Police Mark Shields, when asked of the police's awareness of the criminals' tactics.

"It doesn't surprise me at all. Criminals will transport any form of contraband, including firearms on the public vehicles ... We have had many recoveries from motor vehicles when the guns are on the move. It is easier to search than when we have to search four or five yards."

Recently, while at a bus park in Savanna-la-Mar, Westmoreland, THE STAR witnessed a bus driver and an individual arguing over the driver's unwillingness to transport a bag to Kingston.

During the argument, the driver was adamant that he would not place the bag on his bus, while stating out aloud that he was not willing to go to prison for a gun that he had nothing to do with.

Not carrying bag

"Watch ya, nuh man, mi seh mi naw carry it. When police stop mi weh mi tell dem seh?" he questioned, before adding, "Call who yu waa call, mi nuh business. Tell dem mi name and tell dem seh, mi seh, mi naw carry it."

The words of the driver seemingly angered the individual. "So how yu a move suh? Yu know who me? Yuh nuh know don't? ... All right everything criss, man," he said with a small grin on his face before walking away with the bag.

The bus driver afterwards told THE STAR that this was just one of many similar situations which they face daily. "Every minute, yu si man come inna di park a tell driva fi drop off bag a town. A good while now, dem a do it to eno ... Mi naw mek 'cause a dem mi go a prison. Mi nuh deh pon dat, mi sorry," he explained.

Another bus driver on the Savanna-la-Mar to Kingston route also shared a similar story. Although none of the drivers admitted to carrying any package, they say the possibility does exist because of the threats from the men.

"Di man dem a carry gun cum gi wi fi transport so, obviously, dem have access to it ... Mi naw tell nuh lie, mi know driva weh do it already. All driver from oda place mi hear wid di same argument and a jus' true dem man deh coward still and 'fraid fi seh no," another bus driver who requested anonymity said. "Me a one a dem weh explain to dem seh mi nuh deh pon dat still. Mi naw carry nuh bag fi nobody pon mi bus unless dem open it and show me every-ting weh in deh."

Meanwhile, DCP Shields told THE STAR that the police will continue to monitor buses and taxis as they try to rid the streets of illegal weapons.

"It is standard procedure to search buses and taxes, and we have given instructions to not only check for proper documents, as we are aware that a vast amount of guns are on the move," he said.