Police have arrested two individuals and seized two firearms along with ammunition during separate incidents in the Eastern Division yesterday.

At approximately 3:30 pm on 10 November 2024, Sgt James, PC Cox, and PC Charles of the National Operations Task Force (NOTF) were on mobile patrol when they received a transmission from the Police Command Centre regarding armed men in the area.

Upon arriving at the Oropouche Road, Valencia address, the officers observed a man with a multi-coloured backpack standing near the roadway. The man glanced toward the officers and immediately fled on foot. The officers alighted from the vehicle, gave chase, and successfully apprehended the man.

A search of his backpack revealed an AR-15 rifle fitted with a magazine containing 18 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition. The items were seized, and the 18-year-old from Oropouche Road, Valencia, was arrested along with a 26-year-old from the same address. Both individuals were taken to the Valencia Police Post for further enquiries.

Earlier that day, in a separate incident, PC Caines of the Specialist Evidence Recovery Unit was at a bar on Eastern Main Road, Valencia, when he was informed of an armed individual in the establishment. PC Caines then observed the individual attempting to make a purchase at the bar while awkwardly holding his waist. He approached the man, identified himself with his Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) ID card and badge, and informed him of the information he had received.

PC Caines attempted to search for the individual, but the man began to resist, resulting in a struggle. During the altercation, PC Caines retrieved a metal and polymer pistol from the individual’s waistband. The man then fled the establishment, but PC Caines was able to recover the firearm, which contained six rounds of 9mm ammunition.

The weapon was taken to the Valencia Police Post for further processing. Enquiries into these matters are ongoing.