T&T police make second ‘major’ bust of illegal firearms in less than a week
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, (CMC) – Less than a week after the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service said it had made the largest seizure of illegal firearms in the country’s history in Santa Cruz, the law enforcement agency is reporting yet another major haul of illegal weapons in the same area.
Police Commissioner Erla Christopher says the “strategies and the Violent Crime Reduction Plan are working, and I have every confidence that as we continue to update our strategies and implement our plans, we will continue to get the desired results”.
According to the police, during an operation on Tuesday, officers of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF), the Guard and Emergency Branch and the Canine Unit, journeyed approximately two miles in a forested area in Santa Cruz, where they found and seized the weapons.
The police said they included four AK-47 Rifles, one 50cal Desert Eagle, one .45 Revolver, two Shotguns, more than 150 rounds of ammunition, rifle magazines as well as an assortment of assault rifle parts, several items of police kits, four police bulletproof vests and blue swivel lights.
“We expect that this seizure will again significantly impact the incidence of violent crimes committed with the use of firearms, especially homicides and home invasions. I would like to thank and commend the officers involved in this seizure, you have placed yourselves in harm’s way and put your lives at risk with the aim of keeping our nation safe. I also thank the public and especially those who see something and say something,” Christopher said.
“We will maintain our intensity in the seizure of illegal firearms, and we will relentlessly pursue those bent on being involved in criminal activity,” she added.
Last week, the weapons seized are classified among the deadliest of weapons namely 13 firearms, including two AK-47 rifles, two draco rifles, one M-16 rifle, two UZI Sub-machine guns, one Beretta Sub-machine gun, one Ruger 30 calibre rifle and one Ruger Precision 50 calibre rifle.
The police said the seizure also included 1152 rounds of assorted ammunition, namely 45 mm, 50 calibre, 12-gauge, 7.62 mm, 9 mm and 6.5 calibre armour piercing ammunition. Several major firearm component parts were also seized, including 10 laser pointers, 23 rifle stocks, 53 trigger guards, 13 selectors, 15 triggers, four rear sights and four buffers.
No one has been arrested in connection with the finds.
