Eight persons were arrested yesterday after more than $94 million in marijuana were seized in Central Trinidad.

Extensive intelligence and investigative work conducted by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) led to a major disruption of a transnational organized drug syndicate with connections in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Jamaica.

Around 10:30 am on Wednesday 12th August, 2020, officers of the Central Intelligence Bureau, the Northern Division Gang Unit, the Inter Agency Task Force (IATF), with support from officers of the Customs and Excise Department and Port Security, intercepted a container at Kolahal Road, Charlieville, Chaguanas.

The container reportedly left the Port of Port of Spain Port on the same day. On searching the container, officers found 958 boxes containing a compressed plant like material resembling marijuana, which weighed 947.64 kilogrammes, with a street value of $94,764,000. Eight persons were arrested and the sum of $60,000 was also seized.

DCP (Ag) Investigations and Intelligence, Mc Donald Jacob, said the operation was as a result of cooperation from other internal and external law enforcement agencies.

He also stated that this major breakthrough was due to the efforts being made by the Commissioner of Police, Gary Griffith, to engender cooperation amongst the various regional law enforcement agencies. DCP Jacob added that the Central Intelligence Bureau was recently established by the CoP to achieve such positive outcomes.

Charges are expected to be laid soon, both by the Police and the Customs and Excise Division.