Jamaican Posse

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The Jamaican Posse is a loose coalition of gangs, based predominantly in the New York City area, first being involved in drugs and gun-running in the early 1980s. It is widely claimed that the Jamaican Posses are affiliated with Jamaican political parties, such as the Jamaica Labour Party and the People's National Party.

The JLP posses dominate the east and south of Kingston and other smaller towns and the PNP posses are mainly found in the Western side and there are a few that state they are not allied to either Political party. These are often in the Northern slums of downtown Kingston.

In the United Kingdom they are referred to as Yardies and have only a few place left as strong holds in central Bristol and North & West London.

1 History
2 Violence
3 List of Posses and there political "stands"
4 External links
5 Further reading

[edit] History

The Jamaican Posses first began operating in the early 1970s, originally dealing in marijuana and guns. From 1983, they expanded into crack cocaine. Their centers of drug trafficking are New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia and Miami, with Connecticut's major cities as secondary distribution points (Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport). A number of Posse members are in prison in these areas.

Although their members originate from Jamaica, they are not connected with the Rastafarian religion, who predominantly associate themselves with the production and sale of marijuana. There is a rift between the two groups over the production of cocaine in Jamaica - the Rastafari are against the production of harder drugs than cannabis.

There are two Posses that come into the news and are well documented and these are, The Spangler Posse, alleged to be politically aligned with the People's National Party PNP (socialistic tendencies rumored to be aligned with Fidel Castro), and the Shower Posse (aligned with the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), and allegedly aligned with the United States and the CIA).

[edit] Violence

Jamaican Posse members are known for gun battles with the police and drive-by shootings in disputes with rival gangs over drug turf. Posse members are known for ritualized killings of members who "rip off" profits on drugs. The killing ritual usually involves the shooting of the individual five times; four to the chest and one to the head. Posse members have little regard for public safety or human life, including their own as they grow up watching films like Rambo, Scarface, and spaghetti westerns. Posse violence can be directed at anyone they feel has disrespected them or is in their way. Once in prison, however, their violence is savage but not regular.

Other ritually violent acts are using irons, chainsaws, hammer & nails, butcher's knifes and burning in or killing.

The alleged head of the One Order Gang, Andrew 'Bun Man' Hope, was murdered in Spanish Town on Feb 8, 2006 which sparked a riot the following day.

[edit] List of Posses and there political "stands"

key. *=garrson

Shower Posse* (JLP), Rat Posse (PNP), Waterhouse Posse (PNP), Spangler Posse* (PNP), Gully Posse (JLP), Precinct 13 (JLP), Renkers Posse (JLP) defunc split into smaller crews around brooklyn in the mid 90s, Southside (JLP), Dunkirk Boys Posse, Tel Aviv Posse* (PNP), Jungle Posse* (PNP), Trench Town (PNP), One Order Gang (JLP), 8 ball Posse (PNP), Action Pack Gang (PNP), Lock City Crew (JLP), Mountain View Posse (JLP), Hype Crew (JLP), Back 2 Back Posse (JLP), (some may not be allied to a party anymore as things have changed)