POLICE Operations in Tobago over the past 24 hours have resulted in the arrest of seven suspects and the seizure of one firearm and quantities of ammunition and narcotics.
According to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) release on Thursday, the first exercise, conducted jointly by personnel of the Guard and Emergency Branch and the Inter-Agency Task Force, took place between 3 pm and 8 pm, on Wednesday in the Plymouth Road district.
During the exercise, officers proceeded to Spring Garden Trace Extension, where they observed a group of men standing in the roadway. On seeing the officers, the men ran off. One suspect, who was armed with a gun, allegedly pointed the weapon in the direction of the officers, who in keeping with the Use of Force
Policy, discharged their firearms in his direction.
The suspect threw the firearm on the ground and surrendered. The man, a 20-year-old, was arrested and one Beretta pistol loaded with a magazine containing 15 rounds of 9mm ammunition seized. Meanwhile, officers of the Tobago Divisional Task Force conducted a similar operation in the Roxborough district between 4.15 pm and 6.45 pm Wednesday.
During the exercise, officers proceeded to a business place in the district where they conducted a search of the building, which resulted in the discovery of a quantity of cannabis and cash.
Two suspects, a man and his common-law wife, who were on the premises at the time of the search, were arrested in connection with the finds. In another exercise, this time in the Scarborough district, officers arrested four suspects for various offences including Assault and on outstanding warrants.
The exercise was conducted between 1 pm and 5.10 pm, yesterday and was strategically directed by DCP Martin, ACP Subero, Snr Supt Elie, coordinated by ASP Bharath and spearheaded by Insp. Piggott. Investigations are ongoing into all of the above matters.
Snr Supt Elie of the Tobago Division says the ongoing anti-crime operations are intelligence driven and meant to maintain a strong police presence in communities to deter criminal activities. He warned criminal elements to not think of Tobago as a safe haven for their activities, as officers will find them and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law. Snr Supt Elie also thanked residents of Tobago for their continued partnership in the fight against crime on the island.
