PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTS) Friday said that it had arrested five people and seized over 180 kilogrammes of cocaine with an estimated street value of TT$250 million (One TT dollar=US$.016 cents) from a vessel bound for St Martin.

“I extend my heartfelt commendation to all officers and agencies involved in this exemplary operation, which underscores the power of real-time intelligence sharing and inter-agency collaboration,” said acting Police Commissioner Junior Benjamin.

He said this seizure not only disrupts the illicit operations of organised crime but also sends a “strong message of our unwavering commitment to national security and combatting transnational organised crime.”

“Our law enforcement teams remain resolute in their efforts to safeguard our nation and dismantle criminal networks that threaten our communities,” Benjamin added.

The TTPS said that following an intelligence-driven operation, executed in strategic collaboration with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) of the Port of Spain Office and the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard (TTCG), law enforcement authorities “successful” intercepted and seized the cocaine, that had been “expertly concealed within a deeply sealed compartment aboard a shipping vessel”.

DCP Intelligence and Investigations, Suzette Martin coordinated the police operations after the police said they had received information which indicated that a shipping vessel, which had journeyed from Guyana to Trinidad, was carrying a substantial quantity of narcotics under the guise of legitimate cargo destined for St Martin.

“The TTPS promptly confirmed the vessel’s arrival in Trinidad on February 25, 2025, and in collaboration with the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard, a rigorous surveillance operation was initiated, monitoring the vessel’s activities and movements closely,” said TTPS.

It said that on Tuesday, March 11, the vessel was observed receiving large shipments of various goods.

“Although these appeared routine, the vessel remained under tight observation. Clearance was granted for the vessel’s departure to St Martin that afternoon; however, the crew altered their departure schedule, setting sail during the early hours of Wednesday March 12, 2025, which aroused the suspicion of the officers.

“This unexpected change intensified law enforcement scrutiny. Agencies strategically tracked the vessel’s movements, prepared to intervene should any illicit activity be detected. The vessel was eventually intercepted by the TTCG in open waters and escorted to Staubles Bay,” the TTPS said, adding that it deployed specialised resources, including a highly trained canine unit, to conduct an exhaustive search.

“Over a meticulous two-day inspection, a concealed, sealed compartment was discovered within the vessel. This led to the seizure of 157 packets of cocaine, weighing a combined total of 182.24 kilograms, with an estimated street value of TTD $254,027,980.80. Five crew members aboard were arrested in connection with the trafficking attempt.”

The TTPS said that investigations are ongoing as the authorities intensify “efforts to dismantle the criminal network responsible for this illegal operation”.