File photo: Pedestrians walk past police and army officers on patrols
By Sue-Ann Wayow
IN the first 24 hours of the declared State of Emergency (SoE), 56 arrests have been made and six illegal firearms seized including a high-powered rifle.
The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) summary of its first 24 hours of operation showed national deployments which resulted in 104 coordinated law enforcement exercises, yielding 629 searches, 407 traffic offences detected from strategic roadblock operations and the 56 arrests.
The SoE took effect just after midnight on Friday morning.
“These actions formed part of a strategic offensive targeting individuals affiliated with organised criminal syndicates and gangs operating across multiple divisions,” the TTPS stated via media release on Saturday.
Several zones registered heightened activity, with concentrated efforts aimed at intercepting persons linked to criminal networks.
Officers recovered six illegal firearms ranging from pistols, a revolver, a shotgun and a rifle in addition to the seizure of 33 rounds of ammunition.
The TTPS stated, “These recoveries reflect the TTPS’ focus on dismantling armed elements within known gang corridors and neutralising the identified threat actors who pose a risk to public safety.
“The TTPS remains steadfast in its mission to protect citizens and restore order. Law enforcement operations will continue with tactical precision and community sensitivity throughout the emergency period with little disruption to law abiding citizens, who are urged to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity through official channels.”
In another release, details were given on the discovery of a high-powered rifle loaded with ten rounds of ammunition.
It was discovered and seized by officers of the Guard and Emergency Branch during a police operation conducted in Cocorite on Friday. The operation was executed under the ongoing Emergency Powers Regulations 2025 (SoE).
Police reported between 6 pm and 9 pm, a team of officers conducted several house-to-house searches in the Waterhole area of Cocorite.
During the exercise, the officers reportedly heard several loud explosions believed to be gunshots.
Acting on key intelligence, the team searched a bushy area behind Building Four near a mosque, where they uncovered a rifle concealed beneath a sheet of galvanize. The weapon was found to be loaded with ten rounds of live ammunition.
