UN, Haiti cops arrest 62 in gang crackdown

Published Jan 29, 2013

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Port-au-Prince, Haiti -

The United Nations says 62 people have been arrested in a massive operation led by Haiti's national police force in two densely population neighbourhoods in the capital of Port-au-Prince.

Six gang leaders were among those arrested.

The operation on Friday involved more than 125 police officers and more than 350 UN soldiers, and was carried out in response to a spike in shootings, rapes and gang activity in the Delmas 2 and Bel Air neighbourhoods. Six stolen motorbikes were also recovered.

Port-au-Prince has a lower homicide rate than most capital cities. But many people expect an increase in violent crime as Haiti prepares for legislative elections that are supposed to be held before year's end.

The UN peacekeeping mission in Haiti released the statement on Monday. - Sapa-AP

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