“Hard working and dedicated officers are out on the beat, working to make our country safe, and we are seeing the evidence of their persistent and consistent efforts with yet another meaningful seizure, that thwarts the plans of those involved in trans-national crime.”
So said Commissioner of Police, Erla Christopher as she commented on yet another intelligence-led exercise conducted yesterday, which resulted in the seizure of fuel, a large quantity of cash and narcotics.
Police reports indicate that within recent months, an intelligence unit within the TTPS concentrated their efforts on dismantling a Drug Trafficking Network operating out of the South Western Peninsula. The unit gathered intelligence which suggested that the network was amassing large quantities of diesel fuel from various service stations throughout the Southern and South Western areas. The fuel was intended to be traded at a higher value, in exchange for narcotics from another Drug Trafficking Network, based in South America.
The TTPS gathered key intelligence and conducted rigorous and extensive surveillance, which guided them in a coordinated exercise in Los Iros yesterday. The team of officers executed a search warrant at the premises located at Persad Drive, Los Iros, where officers found 60 barrels of fuel. A man then arrived at the premises and claimed to be the owner of the fuel. He was interviewed and was asked to produce documentation for the fuel. The man could not provide any documentation and was arrested. The suspect, along with the seized fuel, were taken to the Marabella Police Station.
During the exercise, the officers received further information concerning another key member of the network. The TTPS immediately conducted further surveillance and then proceeded to Mulchan Trace, Siparia, where a search warrant was executed at the location. While searching a white Toyota Aqua vehicle, the officers found 80 packets of high-grade marijuana, which weighed 43kgs, with an estimated street value of $6,442,260. The officers also found $125,500 TT and $100 US currency in the vehicle. The officers seized the items found and arrested three suspects, who were taken to the Marabella Police Station pending further enquiries.
Investigations are continuing.