PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) — The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service says it has detained a secondary school student after “a black package containing plant-like material resembling cannabis along with wrapping paper was discovered” on Wednesday.

Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro commended the swift and professional actions of the officers involved, saying, “I continue to stand firmly behind the School Oriented Policing initiative, which has proven to be a vital line of defence in safeguarding our learning environments”.

He said the intervention “underscores the vigilance and professionalism of our officers, whose presence is not merely symbolic but actively preventative”.

“I urge parents and guardians to take a closer look at what their children are bringing into our nation’s schools. The last time I checked, wrapping paper and suspicious plant-like material were not on the Ministry of Education’s approved book list. Let us remain united in protecting the sanctity of our classrooms,” he added.

The police said officers attached to the School Oriented Policing Unit acted swiftly on intelligence received and intercepted the male form one student at a secondary school in the Northern Division North District.

“The student was immediately cautioned and informed of the offence. The school’s administration was notified, and officers from the Community-Oriented Policing Section and the Cumuto Police Station were summoned to the school. The weight and composition of the substance are being verified,” the police added.