Two men who were held for marijuana cultivation, possession of a prohibited weapon and possession of ammunition both pleaded guilty earlier this week when they appeared before a Master at the High Court in Sangre Grande.

According to the TTPS, SALEEM VILLARUEL, 21, of Guaico, Tamana Road, and AZIZI WILLIAMS, 42, of Robinson Trace, Damarie Hill, Sangre Grande, both unemployed, are scheduled to reappear before the court on February 19th, 2024, where they are expected to be given their sentences.

VILLARUEL and WILLIAMS were arrested on February 8th and charged on February 13th, 2024, by PC Singh of the Eastern Division Gang and Intelligence Unit (EDGIU) following a surveillance exercise at a campsite 12 kilometres into a forested area of Romain Trace, Guaico, Tamana.

During the exercise, EDGIU and Multi-Operational Police Section officers observed two men tending to a marijuana field with approximately 1024 full-grown marijuana trees and an estimated 1000 seedlings on about four acres of land.

The marijuana had an estimated street value of $3,283,203 and was described as local hydro grade some of which were cultivated in a greenhouse. Police also discovered and seized a Draco Rifle fitted with a laser and seven rounds of 7.62 ammunition.