MANCHESTER, Jamaica — A day after newly minted head of the Manchester division Odean Dennis vowed to tackle lottery scammers in Manchester, a strong contingent of police personnel swooped down on several premises across Mandeville and its environs detaining at least eight people on Friday.

Operations Officer for Manchester Deputy Superintendent Valdin Amos said the operation is part of an assault on criminal activities in the parish in search of prohibited weapons and a clampdown on lottery scamming activities.

Amos noted that some lottery scammers have amassed enough wealth to lease properties in upscale neighbourhoods for as long as five years in an effort to avoid detection.