The TTPS arrested 18 people and seized four firearms in three Divisions yesterday. During one of the exercises, police officers on mobile patrol along the Priority Bus Route observed a man riding a bicycle who threw a bag into a bushy area. Officers gave chase but the man escaped. Officers searched the area and found one Smith and Wesson pistol loaded with a magazine containing nine rounds of ammunition.

Take a look at the full statement below:

Eighteen persons were arrested and four firearms seized by officers across three Divisions yesterday, during ongoing anti-crime exercises aimed at removing illegal guns from the streets.

An exercise was conducted by the North Eastern Division Task Force between 7 am and 1 pm, on Wednesday 7th September, 2022, in the San Juan district. With the assistance of officers of the Special Investigations Unit, a white Hyundai Elantra motor-vehicle with false registration plates was intercepted along the Eastern Main Road, with three male occupants.

A search resulted in officers finding a revolver and five rounds of ammunition in the vehicle.
The three suspects, a 27-year-old of Barataria, a 29-year-old and a 27-year-old, both of Laventille, were arrested in connection with the find.

In the North Central Division between 9:30 am and 2 pm, yesterday, officers were on mobile patrol along the Priority Bus Route, when they observed a man riding a bicycle throw a bag into a bushy area. The officers gave chase, but the man eluded capture by crossing a nearby river. A search of the area resulted in officers finding one Smith and Wesson pistol loaded with a magazine containing nine rounds of ammunition.

In a separate exercise, officers of the NED Intelligence Unit conducted a search of a parcel of land between 4 pm and 7:30 pm yesterday. The search resulted in officers finding one high-powered rifle loaded with a magazine containing 23 rounds of ammunition and a quantity of marijuana.

Meanwhile, in the North Central and Northern Divisions, officers conducted exercises between 6 pm and 10 pm yesterday, during which they conducted searches in the Maloney Police District. Two male suspects, ages 21 and 22 of Maloney and Tunapuna were arrested for possession of quantities of cocaine.

Meanwhile, in the Central Division, five suspects were arrested by officers of the Princes Town Municipal Police Station following a report of robbery with aggravation against a food vendor in the Gran Couva district. Officers, acting on information, intercepted a white Nissan AD Wagon motor vehicle in which they were occupants.

A search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of a cellular phone which was reportedly stolen during the incident.
The men, ages 19 to 37 of Williamsville and Gasparillo, were arrested in connection with the incident.

An exercise conducted in the St. James district by officers of the Western Division Task Force between 2 am and 7 am today, Thursday 8th September 2022, resulted in officers finding an M16 rifle loaded with a magazine containing 27 rounds of ammunition in a forested area.
Investigations are ongoing into all the incidents.

Meanwhile, in an overnight warrant exercise conducted in the Southern Division, officers held eight persons on outstanding warrants.