THE Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) has launched an investigation following the circulation of a viral video showing two men exiting a marked police vehicle in Siparia.
The footage, aired on the Ian Alleyne programme on Monday, shows the men brandishing objects resembling firearms near a bar and then walking towards Coora Road.
The video has raised significant public concern, prompting the TTPS to initiate an immediate and thorough investigation, a release stated on Tuesday.
It stated that initial inquiries revealed that on June 27, 2024, officers from the Siparia Criminal Investigation Department (CID) responded to reports of two armed men on High Street, Siparia. The officers quickly apprehended two suspects, aged 18 and 24, who were then taken to the CID for further questioning.
Investigations uncovered that the suspects had been dropped off by a marked police vehicle from the Criminal Records Office in Siparia. The suspects claimed they received a lift from a police officer. The officer involved was interviewed and provided a detailed account of the incident, confirming he acted in good faith by assisting individuals who appeared stranded.
As a result of the investigation, Avinash Vinton Allahar, 24, was charged with possession of a firearm on June 28, 2024. He faced the Siparia Magistrates’ Court, receiving a fine of $8,000 with a three-month payment period, or 18 months of hard labor if defaulted. The 18-year-old suspect, who possessed an imitation firearm, was released after senior officers reviewed the case.
