During a Strike Back exercise, several people were arrested and charged with gun-related offences.
According to this press release, searches were conducted at separate locations and many guns and ammunition were recovered.
Details follow in this press release from the TTPS:
Several persons have been arrested, charged and are currently before the court for gun-related offences.
During a Strike Back exercise in Maloney Gardens, on May 17th, 2022, officers acting on intelligence, executed a search warrant at two separate apartments located at Building 16, Maloney Gardens. One of the men, NEBMARE LEE, 21, was arrested on May 17th, 2022, he was charged on May 20th, with seven gun-related offences; two counts of possession of a firearm, two counts of possession of ammunition, wounding with intent, possession of a firearm to endanger life, and possession of ammunition to endanger life.
LEE appeared before the Arima Magistrates’ Court on May 23rd, 2022 and was granted $300,000 bail. He is expected to reappear on June 17th, 2022.
Meanwhile, MICKHAIL GREGOIRE, 30, who was arrested on May 17th, 2022, and later charged with possession of ammunition, appeared before Magistrate Avion Gill at the Arima Magistrates’ Court on May 19th, 2022. He pleaded not guilty and was granted $30,000 bail and is expected to reappear on June 15th, 2022.
In another incident, according to police reports on May 21st, 2022, officers were on mobile patrol along Coffee Street, San Fernando, when they allegedly observed a man standing on the side of the road. Upon seeing the marked police vehicle, the suspect ran off. The officers pursued and apprehended the man a short distance away.
A search of the man revealed a silver Ruger revolver with three rounds of .38 ammunition. The man was identified as ANTONIO THOMPSON, 22, of Penal Rock Road, Penal. He was later charged on May 22nd, 2022. THOMPSON appeared before a San Fernando Magistrate on May 23rd, 2022, pleaded guilty to the offence and was sentenced to two years hard labour.
In another intelligence-led exercise in the North-Eastern Division (NED) on May 20th, 2022, NED Intelligence Unit and Coastal Patrol Unit officers executed a search warrant at a house located at Lalla Trace, Icacos Village, Cedros.
During a search of the house, police officers allegedly discovered a box containing one Beretta nine millimetre pistol and one Sarsilmaz pistol fitted with a magazine containing seven rounds of nine-millimetre ammunition.
A 26-year-old Venezuelan man was arrested and taken to the Barataria Police Station pending charges for the offences of possession of firearms and ammunition.
In an unrelated event, a 22-year-old male of Hassanali Street, Diego Martin, appeared before a Port-of-Spain Magistrate yesterday, charged with possession of a Glock pistol along with one magazine and nine rounds of nine-millimetre ammunition which was seized during a search warrant exercise. JEREMY WILLIAMS was granted bail in the sum of $200,000 and the matter is set for hearing on June 6th, 2022.
A 52-year-old labourer appeared before the Siparia Magistrates’ Court on May 20th, 2022 charged with possession of a revolver and an assortment of ammunition. VIDESH ROOPNARINE, of Harris Village, South Oropouche pleaded not guilty and was granted $300,000 bail. He is expected to reappear on June 17th 2022.
Police are continuing investigations into some of these matters.