Caption: The marijuana seized by police. Photo: TTPS

POLICE have seized $11.9 million in marijuana in Trincity on Friday.

A release from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) on Sunday stated that officers of the Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Task Force (NDTF) South, working in collaboration with a Specialist Unit of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), seized over 108 kilograms of highgrade Cannabis valued at approximately $11.9 million during an anti-crime exercise conducted in the North Central Division on Friday.

The intelligence-led operation, which took place between 8 am and 12 noon was coordinated by Snr Supt Maynard-Wilson, Supt McKenzie, and ASP Pitt, and was spearheaded by Insp Gadar and acting Sgt Foster, under the direct supervision of PC Persad.

During the exercise, around 8.30 am officers received intellegence information from a Specialist Unit regarding a cream-coloured Nissan Almera reportedly conveying firearms and narcotics along the Churchill Roosevelt Highway.

Acting on the intelligence, the team proceeded in the direction of Trincity, where they observed the suspect vehicle.

On approaching the Trincity Traffic Lights, the driver of the Almera allegedly became aware of the police presence, breached a red light, and proceeded toward the Trincity Mall.

A brief chase ensued, during which the driver who is known to the police abandoned the vehicle in the Trincity Mall carpark and fled on foot into the mall, evading capture.

A subsequent search of the vehicle led to the discovery of five bales containing 179 packets of Colombian “Creepy” Cannabis, with a combined weight of 108.89 kilograms.

The vehicle and narcotics were seized and transported to the San Rafael Police Station, where they were processed by Crime Scene Investigators.