Drivers involved in illegal drag racing were caught in a police dragnet in San Fernando, as officers accompanied by Licensing inspectors made a crackdown at Cross Crossing, San Fernando, on Saturday night. Shortly before midnight, more than 50 officers took up positions, blocking off all entry and exit points at Cipero Road, Todd Street, Lady Hailes Avenue, Rienzi Kirton Highway and Cipero Street. When the drivers began their noisy races, the police jeeps arrived, blocking all vehicles. Several spectators who claimed that they were purchasing burgers were also caught in the net.
One man shouted, "I innocent! All I come here to do is buy burgers and they want to empty their ticket book on me." Detectives led by acting Senior Supt Archibald, ASP Valdez, Insp Ramjattan and Sgt Vijay Ramdhanie, and more than 15 officers from the Port-of-Spain Licensing Office began a thorough inspection of all vehicles within the area. This caused a heavy traffic jam as vehicles were not allowed to leave until they were inspected. For four hours, the officers stripped off illegal tints from more than 50 cars. One man was found driving without a valid driver's permit and insurance, while more than ten people were ticketed for unauthorised lights, defective number plates, broken ID lights and defective headlights.
One of the alleged drag racers became annoyed when the police began inspecting his car. He was later charged with using insulting language. Another spectator said he felt sorry for the racers. "If they put a drag race strip for them to race, they would not have to come here and race," he said. However, motor vehicle supervisor Ralph Siewsankar said illegal drag racing was dangerous and a nuisance to motorists. He said not having a legal drag strip was no excuse for breaking the law.