Police warn owners of nightclubs and entertainment establishments against harbouring or employing underage children

Owners of nightclubs and entertainment establishments are being warned by the police that harbouring or employing underage children will result in prosecution.

It follows an operation on Saturday, July 4, which resulted in the arrest of a 38-year-old woman.

The woman, Marsha-Gay McLean of Toronto Drive, St. Catherine, has been charged with employing a 17-year-old child in a nightclub and using a child for conduct contrary to decency or morality, offences committed contrary to section 39 of the Child Care and Protection Act.

Two men were also charged with other offences.

They are 25-year-old Najair Brown of Gordon Town, St. Andrew, who has been charged with possession of ganja and dealing in ganja, and 24-year-old Davion Johnson, a security guard of Molynes Road, Kingston, who has been charged with possession of ganja, dealing in ganja, and possession of criminal property.

Police say McLean, Brown and Johnson were among more than 30 people interviewed during the operation conducted by members of the Transnational Crime Investigation Division.

This as they executed search warrants at two establishments.

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) says it continues to monitor these establishments and urges business operators to verify their employees’ ages.

The JCF says employing minors for adult entertainment or in environments that may compromise their morals violates the Child Care and Protection Act.

The public is encouraged to report information about the employment of minors in nightclubs, human trafficking or other illicit activities by contacting the Specialised Investigation Branch at 876-922-2373, Crime Stop at 311, the National Intelligence Bureau at 811, the police emergency number 119 or the nearest police station.