A 26-YEAR-OLD soldier was among three suspects arrested and three firearms and ammunition seized including a submachine gun.

The suspects were arrested and the items were seized during anti-crime operations conducted in the Northern Division and Tobago Divisions on Monday into Tuesday.

The trio was suspected to have been on their way to commit a firearm-related offence when they were arrested, a release from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) stated on Tuesday.

Police reported that an intelligence-led operation was conducted in the Arima district, between 6.45 pm on Monday and 3 am on Tuesday spearheaded by ACP Collis Hazel, Snr Supt Montrichard and Snr Supt Spence.

 During the exercise, personnel of the Guard and Emergency Branch (GEB) and the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF), proceeded to Tumpuna Road, where they intercepted two vehicles, a Nissan Wingroad and Nissan Tiida.

 A search of the vehicles resulted in the discovery of a submachine gun loaded with a magazine containing 22 rounds of ammunition and a pistol loaded with 11 rounds of ammunition.

 Three male suspects, ages 25 to 27, including the soldier were arrested in connection with the finds.

In the Tobago Division between 11 am and 1 pm on Monday an exercise conducted by officers of GEB and IATF, resulted in the discovery of one firearm.

Investigations are ongoing into the two above matters, the TTPS stated.