By Sue-Ann Wayow
SEVEN men were arrested, and an AR-15 rifle and a shotgun were among the seven firearms police seized over the holiday weekend.
The places where some were found were in an unoccupied structure, car park, bushy area and garbage bin.
In a press release by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) on Tuesday Acting Commissioner of Police Mc Donald Jacob said that while some may say these gun seizures have become routine, the officers of the TTPS will continue to collect intelligence, work with members of the public and do all within the law to seize and remove illegal weapons from communities.
Monday was declared as the Eid public holiday.
Jacob added that the ease at which people choose to pick up guns to settle disputes was unacceptable, therefore stifling the access to firearms will continue to be a tool in the TTPS’s arsenal to make communities safer.
“As long as criminals use guns, we will use our resources to hunt for these guns and the criminals,” Jacob said.
Two guns found in Morvant
In one incident, an anti-crime exercise was conducted between 12 noon and 2.30 pm on Saturday in the Morvant district. After receiving information officers conducted surveillance of an unoccupied structure at Chaconia Drive, Coconut Drive, Morvant.
Upon searching the building, they seized one AR-15 rifle fitted with one magazine containing 30 rounds of 5.56 ammunition and one magazine containing six rounds of .380 ammunition. Two men were arrested in connection with the seizure.
Also in Morvant, a shotgun was also seized, during an anti-crime exercise conducted between 3.30 pm and 5.30 pm on Sunday.
Officers received information and then proceeded to Clearance Circular, Mon Repos Road.
A search was conducted in an open bushy area where one black garbage bag was seen partially buried in the dirt.
Further checks made by the officers revealed that the bag contained one silver and black 12-gauge shotgun wrapped in camouflage clothing. The items were seized and conveyed to the Morvant Police Station. PC Ferguson is continuing enquiries.
Firearm found in POS carpark
In Port-of-Spain on Saturday, officers of the Inter Agency Task Force (IATF) acted on information as they proceeded to a car park on Charlotte Street where a comprehensive search was conducted. During the search one black, silver and brown wooden handle firearm and a quantity of ammunition were found in a black plastic bag, hidden under a wooden structure in the car park.
PC Lewis is continuing enquiries.
In Barrackpore on Friday, officers of the Barrackpore Police Station went to Kansammy Trace where they observed two men standing in front of a parlour. One man was holding a white plastic bag.
The officers approached him, identified themselves and told him of their observation. The officers then searched the bag and found one black Smith and Wesson .40 mm M and P pistol, fitted with a magazine and 14 rounds of .40 mm ammunition. The officers also found 660 grams of marijuana packaged in several clear packets.
The items were seized and both men were arrested.
PC Ramnanan is continuing enquiries.
Teenager found with ammunition in San Fernando
A 15-year-old boy is also in police custody after he was stopped and searched by officers of the Southern Operation Team, while on patrol along Circle Drive, Embacadere, San Fernando around 2 pm on Monday.
Upon searching the teen, the officers found and seized one Brownin .380 pistol with one magazine and two rounds of .380 mm ammunition.
Also, on Monday, while on enquiries along Jacob Coat Northeastern Settlement, Sangre Grande Criminal Investigations Department (CID) officers obtained information then proceeded to an area along that road. The officers carried out a search to the rear of a garbage bin and found one black plastic bag which contained one silver and black 9mm firearm, fitted with a magazine and three rounds of ammunition. The items were seized and PC Singh is continuing enquiries.
Bandits shot by victim with licenced firearm
And in the Western Division, two men were arrested and a firearm and quantity of ammunition were seized by officers of the Western Division, shortly after they attempted to rob a male victim in St James on Saturday night.
The men announced a holdup and the man drew his licensed firearm and discharged several rounds in the direction of the assailants. The men ran off and a report was made to the police.
Officers of the Western Division Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Guard and Emergency Branch and Port of Spain Division, who were on patrol in the area responded to the report and apprehended the suspects in the Woodbrook area shortly after.
The men were taken to the Port of Spain General Hospital for treatment, as they were found to be suffering from gunshot wounds to the leg.
A firearm and eight rounds of ammunition were also seized from their possession.
