One year of preparation, to prepare the operation, 7 specialized units of the National Police of Haiti is 438 agents and 117 elements of the Minustah, police and military have been necessary to dismantle one of the most powerful Gang of Port-au-Prince, which operated around the Croix des Bossales market.

On completion of an operation that lasted nearly three hours, 113 people, suspected members of the gang including an individual known as "Touhou" described as the most dangerous gang leader of La Saline were arrested.

Details of the operation :

Saturday, July 11, at 11:00 am, 7 specialized units of the PNH, or 438 officers and 117 elements of the Minustah, police and military, met for instructions.

At 12:30, the convoy starts. The area from Carrefour Aviation until La Saline Boulevard is checkered. The inputs and outputs are filtered. At the Rue du Quai four armored vehicles of the Minustah are already positioned. The police beat begins. Specialised units slip into these labyrinths of corridors in search of haunts of gang members.

At 1:30 p.m. already 20 individuals were arrested and handcuffed.

At 2:30 p.m. "Touhou" one of the gang leaders wanted by police was arrested with several of his accomplices.

The operation ended at 3:00 p.m., after numerous other arrests.

"This gang of La Saline, raging since 2004 is one of the most powerful of Port-au-Prince, with several ramifications, it was supplying weapons and men," explained Vladimir Parison, the Departmental Director of West - PNH, "This gang ransom daily population, especially at the market of Croix des Bossales."

"It took us one year to prepare for this operation because it is a gang with a very complex operating mode," indicated Commissioner Alex Jean Pierre-Louis, of Port-au-Prince and Operation Commander "In 2014, the PNH conducted an anti-gang operation around the Croix des Bossales market where the gang operated. But it quickly reconstituted." He said he was satisfied with the operation "We did not find the weapons, but we captured three gang leaders and several people suspected of criminal activity."

Even satisfaction for Gombo Abubacar, Commander of the elements of the Minustah. "We gave the PNH assistance it had sought." The operation took place without incident.

For the Commissioner of Police, Serge Therriault, of the Minustah (UNPOL) "This operation proves that the PNH can meet the most difficult challenges when it is charged to ensure alone the security throughout Haiti. This will also have positive impacts on the organization of future elections. Some voices were raised during the community forums to denounce the manipulation of gangs by some politicians to sow unrest in the electoral process. In La Saline, it will be made more difficult."

HL/ HaitiLibre