The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) continues to thwart the import and export of illegal narcotics and apply pressure on local and regional drug trafficking networks, as police seized over $ 4 million worth of cocaine and marijuana, during two intelligence-led operations on Tuesday 24 October and today, Thursday 26th October, 2023.
Sometime in October 2023, an intelligence unit within the TTPS received information, which suggested that a local drug trafficking network was expecting to import a shipment of narcotics from their counterparts based in St Vincent. The unit continued investigations and was able to ascertain that the shipment was expected to arrive on 24th October, via the Admiral Bay III vessel, concealed amongst legitimate cargo.
As a result, the TTPS conducted a coordinated operation at the Caricom Port, Port-of-Spain, with the assistance of members of the SeaCop Search Team and Customs officers. When the team conducted a search, they found 8.8 kilograms of high-grade marijuana in a box concealed amongst other cargo. The marijuana seized has an estimated street value of $1,318,416.
The intelligence unit also conducted investigations into the export of narcotics concealed in items. The intelligence gathered indicated that a blue Nissan Almera vehicle was expected to proceed to a courier company located in the North Eastern District, to export narcotics. The officers conducted further surveillance, spotted the said Almera vehicle and with the assistance of the Northern Division Task Force (NDTF), intercepted the vehicle. When officers searched the car, they found 2.2 kilograms of cocaine, concealed within a wooden frame. The three occupants of the vehicle were arrested, and the officers seized the cocaine, which has an estimated street value of $3,066,624.
Commissioner of Police, Erla Christopher commended the officers for their tireless efforts and noted that string of successes over the past weeks. She stated, “Each seizure and each arrest will help rebuild and restore our nation. We will continue to identify, target, and intensify the pressure on these drug trafficking networks. The war on criminals will continue, so that law-abiding citizens can live in peace.”