The TTPS has arrested thirty-three people were during exercises conducted throughout the day yesterday, Friday 25th August, 2023 across several Divisions. The exercises also resulted in the seizure of five guns, a quantity of ammunition and drugs, and a bulletproof vest.

According to the TTPS, a stolen vehicle and several stolen items were also recovered. North Eastern Division officers, on receiving reports of firearms and ammunition being stored in an abandoned structure on Mango George Hill, 7th Avenue, Malick proceeded to the location around 4:45 pm yesterday. During a search of the area, they recovered a black plastic bag from a garbage heap which allegedly contained one AK-47 fitted with a magazine containing nine rounds of 7.62-millimetre ammunition and a pair of motor vehicle number plates.

A bulletproof vest was also found hidden between galvanize sheets. Three persons were arrested after they attempted to flee from officers of the North Central Division Task Force – Area East at Hindustan Trace, Henry Street, Arouca. A silver and black firearm with a magazine containing 10 rounds of nine-millimetre ammunition was also found.

Quick work by officers in the Division led to the apprehension of a robbery suspect shortly after he allegedly snatched a purse from a woman walking along St. Michael Road, Tacarigua. The stolen items were also recovered.

An anti-crime exercise in the Central Division led to the arrest of a 50-year-old man for Possession of Firearm and Possession of Ammunition after police seized one Glock Pistol fitted with one magazine and twelve rounds of nine-millimetre ammunition. A 28-year-old Freeport man was also arrested for Possession of Cocaine during the exercise.

During a similar exercise conducted in Area South of the Division, based on intelligence received, officers proceeded to Forest Park Dump Road, Claxton Bay. They observed two males, one with a backpack walking along the road, who, on seeing the officers began running.

However, they escaped in some nearby bushes after dropping the backpack. One Taurus .38 revolver fitted with two rounds .38spl ammunition and 1/2 kilogramme of compressed high-grade cannabis were allegedly found in the bag.

A joint anti-crime exercise involving officers of the Stolen Vehicles Squad, Anti-Kidnapping Unit and Immigration South and North was also conducted in the Division. A Couva man was detained during the exercise. Officers also wrecked the white Toyota Aqua he was driving after checks revealed that it had been reported stolen from a carpark in Chaguanas in September 2022. The man was conveyed to the Chaguanas Criminal Investigations Department.

Meanwhile, in the Southern Division, 10 persons are currently assisting police regarding enquiries related to various offences. Twelve warrants were also executed during an exercise conducted by Court and Process Area East. Six persons were arrested in relation to same. Four persons were arrested for drug-related offences by the Southern Division Task Force Area East.

One of the four, a 48-year-old labourer, was formally charged for Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking. He is expected to appear at the Princes Town Magistrates’ Court on Monday. An 18-year-old Barrackpore man will also be appearing on the same date after being arrested and charged for Possession of Ammunition.

Three men are currently assisting officers related to enquiries into various offences, including Larceny, Robbery with Violence, and Shootings after an anti-crime exercise conducted in the Western Division. A Carenage man was also arrested in relation to a report of Robbery, while a Diego Martin man was arrested relative to a report of Store Breaking and Larceny.

Enquiries into these arrests are continuing.

The Multi-Agency Task Force also continued efforts to address gang violence as they conducted exercises in the Northern Division. Twenty Fixed Penalty Notices were issued, as well as several citation/recorded warnings.