Police, in a joint operation with Jamaica Customs, conducted a series of raids at a number of Chinese-owned business establishments in Old Harbour, St Catherine on Friday.
Several operators were detained and businesses ordered closed in the operation that lasted for several hours.
Representatives of both the police and Customs refused to speak to Loop News reporters at the scene. Sources, however, stated that the Chinese nationals were being questioned in connection with a number of offences including tax evasion.
A Chinese merchant leaving the Old Harbour Police Station. She would later return to help those who were detained inside.
Over the last several years, there has been a rapid growth in Chinese-owned businesses in the bustling Old Harbour town centre, with a wide variety of operations including supermarkets and restaurants.
During the raids on Friday, some Chinese-owned stores closed their doors with workers inside, only to reopen after the operation had ended. Others remained opened, after being questioned by the law enforcement officials.
