Police exercises have led to the arrest of 24 people who are now assisting in active investigations.
Over the weekend, police seized guns, narcotics and ammunition.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Ag.), Intelligence and Investigations, Curt Simon said these results are accredited to the extensive and painstaking efforts of the men and women of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS).
DCP (Ag.) Simon reiterated that intelligence-led operations will continue through Operation Blue Line exercises to reverse the tide of criminal activities.
He said, “We have taken note of the violence brought about by a fight for drug turfs and feuding gangs. Whilst our investigating and intelligence machinery is very much operable, a key component of our response, is designed to maintain safety and security amongst the public. I wish to take this opportunity to assure Trinidad and Tobago that your TTPS remains resolute as it relates to our mandate of making every place safe. We continue to ask the public to be vigilant and to continue partnering with your TTPS.”
The success of the three-day operation is a direct response to Operation Blue Line which is an ongoing initiative of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), introduced by the Commissioner of Police, Erla Harewood-Christopher. This strategy utilises intelligence-led and anti-gang operations to dismantle criminal networks throughout all 10 Policing Divisions.
According to police reports, officers of the Central Division conducted a warrant exercise Sunday between 4 am and 8 am. The officers went to a house along Green Street, Chaguanas where they discovered a quantity of cocaine, two men ages 26 and 28 were arrested.
The exercise continued along Perseverance Road, Chaguanas, where a Glock pistol fitted with a magazine containing 15 rounds of nine-millimetre ammunition and a camouflage jacket with marking purporting to be Trinidad and Tobago Regiment.
A 28-year-old man was immediately arrested in connection with the discovery and is currently assisting with the investigation.
In a separate incident, three suspects were arrested in connection with a vehicle reported stolen in the Grand Bazaar area. Police received information that led them to Junon Street, West California were they caught the men scrapping a blue Nissan Wingroad. The three men age 20 to 49, of California and Tabaquite were arrested and taken to the Couva police station for processing. The vehicle was also towed to the station.
In an overnight exercise, officers of the Northern Division Task Force received a report of a robbery at Rise Park, Arima, in which five men were suspected of being involved. An all-points bulletin was issued and a description was given of the men and the vehicle involved in the robbery. The officers intercepted a white Nissan B15 vehicle, a search unearthed the stolen items along with an imitation firearm.
The five persons arrested are between the ages of 15 and 53 years, they hail from Arima, D’Abadie, Maturita and Beetham Gardens.
Four men were also arrested during a firearm and narcotic removal exercise on Saturday by the Southern Division Task Force between 12 noon and 8 pm. A 23-year-old man from Lady Hailes Avenue was arrested for Possession of a Nine-Millimetre Beretta Pistol and Possession of three rounds of Nine-Millimetre Ammunition. While a man, 39, of La Romaine, was arrested and charged with Possession of 65 grammes of Marijuana.
Two men, ages 25 and 27, of Sangre Grande and Fyzabad respectively were also arrested on warrants and are currently assisting police with their investigation.
During the exercise, the officers visited locations known for narcotics and guns. The officer would discover 350 grammes of marijuana hidden in different areas along Ethel Street and Charles Street, La Romaine. They would also discover a bulletproof vest in some bushes off Lionel Darcuiel Drive, Tarouba.
According to a police report, Cunupia officers conducted an exercise where six persons were arrested. Four for Possession of Marijuana for the Purpose of Trafficking, one for Possession of two kilogrammes of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking and one for Assault by beating.
During a special exercise conducted in Carenage, a man of Laventille and Diego Martin was arrested along Sea View Street, Carenage, after officers discovered a Glock 22 .40 calibre pistol with a fire selector attached and 14 rounds of .40 calibre ammunition. The gun was removed for ballistic testing while the man is assisting police with their investigation.
In another incident, officers of the Freeport Police Criminal Investigation Department and Warrant Section, conducted several search exercises within the district. Two men, age 33, of Freeport, were arrested one for Larceny and the other for Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking. The men are being processed and are expected to be charged and taken to court early this week.
The Freeport officers received information that led them to a bushy area along Nelson Road, Freeport where they discovered one Smith and Wesson Revolver fitted with five rounds of .38 ammunition. The firearm was removed for processing.
During a roving road check exercise duty in the Sangre Grande district on August 18th, between 10 am and 1 pm officers of the Eastern Division Task Force, acting on information, visited a bushy area located at Pat Lawrence Drive Guaico, Tamana Road, where a search was conducted, one 12-gauge homemade shotgun along with two rounds of 12-gauge cartridges were discovered and retrieved for processing.
In Matelot, officers conducted a raid and search exercise on August 18th, around 5.30 am and 10.30 am. The officers received information that led them off Paria Main Road, Matelot, into a bushy area where a search was conducted and one black and silver Ruger M77 Mark II Air Rifle with Scope was discovered. The rifle was removed for processing.
If anyone has information related to these incidents, please contact the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service via 999, 555, or 911, or call your local police station or CRIME STOPPERS anonymously at 800-TIPS.
Investigations are ongoing into all the incidents.