Strategic, coordinated anti-crime exercises across all policing divisions over the past 48 hours resulted in the seizure of quantities of narcotics, firearms, ammunition and the arrest of several persons.
In the Southern Division yesterday, when a party of officers proceeded to an area off Murray Street Extension, Cocoyea Village, San Fernando, they observed a known offender and Police Supervisee, walking in a southerly direction along a track with a crocus bag.
The officers identified themselves and the man dropped the bag and ran in the opposite direction, however, he was apprehended a short distance away. When officers searched the bag, they found one Springfield 9-mm Pistol, loaded with magazine and 15 rounds of 9-mm ammunition, one magazine, one component for a Riffle (Barrel, trigger mechanism and spring), one Air Rifle, two Police Caps, one bulletproof vest, camouflage pants and jacket with markings, also a knapsack containing several tie straps, two rolls of duct tape and several pawn tickets.
A further check of the area revealed two metal safes.
The suspect was arrested and taken to the Mon Repos Police Station together with the seized items.
PC Ballierajh is continuing enquiries.
Officers of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) conducted an exercise in Laventille, Belmont, Port of Spain, Sea Lots, Morvant and environs yesterday, during which time several persons, vehicles, bushy areas and abandoned structures were searched, which resulted in the seizure of a quantity of illegal narcotics.
While at Cipriani Avenue, Second Caledonia, Morvant, the team found three rectangular-shaped packages, each containing compressed marijuana weighing 1,575 grams, along with several smaller clear plastic packets each with marijuana weighing 428 grams, all totaling 2,003 grams.
Also, while at Pioneer Drive, Sea Lots, the officers searched the seat of a derelict motorcycle, where they found a package containing marijuana weighing 1,003 grams, together with several smaller clear wrapped packets which weighed 327 grams, totaling 1330 grams. The officers seized a total of 3.333 kilograms of marijuana during the exercise.
Meanwhile, around 11.50 am yesterday, while IATF officers were proceeding in a southerly direction along Pioneer Drive Sea Lots, they observed a man walking in a westerly direction out of a basketball court.
The man looked in the direction of the marked police vehicle, turned around and began running towards the nearby tracks. The officers pursued the man, who pulled out a black object from his waist, threw it to the ground and continued running through the nearby tracks, making good his escape. PC James took possession of the object and observed it to be a Hi-Point C9 Pistol fitted with a magazine and eight rounds of 9-mm ammunition. Enquiries are continuing.
In the South Western Division, officers received information yesterday, then proceeded to Southern Main Road, Chatham and into a bushy area approximately 300 feet off the roadway. During a search of the area, PC Jagessar found a black plastic bag containing a shotgun. The officer took possession of the firearm and is continuing enquiries.
Two suspects were arrested in the Central Division after officers executed search warrants for firearms and ammunition in the district. A 37-year-old, unemployed man of Enterprise, was arrested for possession of six rounds of 5.56-mm ammunition and possession of 10.6 grams of cocaine for trafficking.
Also, a 37-year-old, Carapichaima man was arrested for possession of four rounds of 9-mm ammunition and possession of 12.8 grams of cocaine for trafficking.