WESTERN BUREAU:

Two police constables are now languishing in jail at the Montego Freeport lock-up, after they were taken into custody by their superiors yesterday on robbery allegations.

The Gleaner understands that the arrests arose from an incident, which occurred in March at Belmont, Westmoreland. It is said that the cops took more than $300,000 in cash as well as high-end cellular phones from the complainant(s).

"We have two policemen whose names were called in that incident, and they are up for identification parades," said Superintendent Steve McGreggor, commanding officer for St. James.

The officer was not forthcoming with details, citing that such a move could jeopardise the matter.

However, The Gleaner understands that a third cop, who eluded his colleagues' dragnet, remains on the run.

There has been a continuous effort by the St. James police hierarchy to pursue allegations of corruption by members in a bid to improve its image.

At least 16 policemen were arrested in the division on corruption charges between 2005 and 2006.

A number of police were also implicated in the illicit lottery scam. Two were taken into custody but were subsequently released.