Long-awaited Ranko Gang trial set for April 2027

The long-awaited trial of the eight people accused of being members of the Clarendon-based Ranko Gang, which prosecutors allege was led by a police constable, has been set for April 5 next year.

The new trial date was confirmed when the accused appeared in the Home Circuit Court today.

Two previous trial dates, September 16, 2025, and April 13 this year, were vacated.

The alleged gang leader, Constable Tafari Silvera, and co-accused David Henry were remanded.

Henry, however, has been offered bail but is yet to take up the offer.

The other defendants, Constables Tehneil Francis, Daneilo Barnes and Rajay Morrison, along with Tevin Henriquez, the lone female accused, Jasette Brown and Ovilgo McKenzie, had their bail extended.

Director of Public Prosecutions Claudette Thompson told the court that a list of 26 witnesses, including eight police officers, had been submitted.

She requested that subpoenas be issued for all the witnesses.

Thompson also informed the court that electronic disclosure was expected to be completed by next Friday.

She said disclosure had already commenced, but checks were being conducted to prevent the duplication of material previously uploaded.

A trial readiness hearing was also scheduled for January 5 next year.

Silvera was first arrested in June 2021 following allegations that he hired two hitmen to kill a police informant from Clarendon.

He is also facing conspiracy to murder charges in a separate case, alongside two civilians, Christopher Robinson and Mark Bennett.

The other defendants were subsequently arrested amid allegations of their involvement in the 27-member gang.

Initial reports indicated that eight police personnel were linked to the gang, with one reportedly fleeing the island following Silvera's arrest.

However, one police officer was later released after two complainants declined to cooperate with prosecutors in relation to robbery allegations against him.

The Ranko Gang has been linked to 17 criminal incidents, including shootings, burglaries, robbery with aggravation, illegal possession of firearms, shop-breaking, conspiracy to murder and abduction.

The alleged offences were committed across several parishes between 2019 and 2021.

- Tanesha Mundle

Follow The Gleaner on X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com.