By Sue-Ann Wayow
CANNABIS plants and seedlings with an estimated street value of $16.1 million have been destroyed in Marac, Moruga.
Police reports are that a Cannabis Suppression Operation was successfully conducted within the Forest Reserve executed by members of the SIU Jungle Operations.
The exercise was coordinated by ACP Teewarie (CIB), Senior Superintendents Simon and Edwards (SIU), W/Superintendent Bridglal, Superintendent Bertie, ASPs Chulhan, Ramsaran and Julien, Inspector Titus, and Sgt Singh under the supervision of Sgt Lee of the SIU Intelligence SubUnit.
Police stated based on intelligence information, the operational team proceeded approximately two kilometres into the forest reserve, where seven cannabis fields covering approximately 11 lots of land were discovered. The fields contained an estimated 16,100 fully grown cannabis plants. Additionally, one seedling bed containing approximately 1,500 seedlings and one campsite were located.
All were destroyed by police, according to a Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) release on Saturday.
The operation was also in collaboration with the Firearms Trafficking Interdiction Unit, the Moruga Police, the Southern Division Task Force, the Air Support Unit, and members of the Trinidad and Tobago Regiment Special Forces.
38 arrested for varying offences
In a subsequent release, the TTPS reported that a warrant exercise was conducted in the South Western Division under Operation Blue Shield between 8 am last Wednesday and 8 am on Friday.
The exercise was spearheaded by Senior Superintendent Thompson and Superintendent Jaggernath, coordinated by Assistant Superintendents Lewis, Corrie and Forbes and supervised by W/Insp. Paul, Sgt Haynes and Ag Cpl Maharaj.
Officers from the South Western Division Warrant Unit also participated in the operation.
During the exercise, 68 warrants were executed, resulting in the arrest of 38 persons for various offences, including First Instance (FI), Traffic and Ancillary Charges (TAC) and affiliation matters.
The release stated, “The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service continues to intensify its efforts to locate and arrest persons wanted by the courts and urges members of the public to cooperate with law enforcement by providing information that may assist in ongoing operations.”
And a firearm – a Glock 22 .40 calibre pistol was discovered in South Oropouche along Bay Road, Otaheitie Bay.
