The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service recovered a stashed marijuana cargo in the Caroni Swamp on Wednesday night.[1] The operation involved the Multi-Option Police Section of Special Branch, the Coastal and Air Support Unit, the Special Investigations Unit and other investigative, tactical and intelligence teams, according to a TTPS release.[1] Officers navigated the mangroves overnight to recover the cargo and transported it to the Chaguaramas Heliport for processing by the SIU and crime-scene investigators.[1] No arrests were made and investigations are continuing.[1]
Officers recovered 1,560 kilogrammes of creepy marijuana, a potent cannabis variety.[1] Police gave the estimated street value of the marijuana as $171,205,320.[1] The intelligence reportedly came through the United States-installed radar at Crown Point, Tobago.[1] The TTPS said this was the first seizure made using data from the newly installed US-supplied military-grade radar, described as capable of 360-degree long-range aerial and maritime surveillance.[1]
Commissioner Allister Guevarro described the overnight exercise at Chaguaramas as a significant milestone and warned criminals that the TTPS would be relentless in searching for them.[1] Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander thanked foreign counterparts for technology provided following an application from the Prime Minister.[1] The radar installation had sparked public debate after being set up without public announcement, with some Tobago political leaders and civil groups saying they were not consulted.[1] Former radar-centre director Norman Dindial questioned whether the Tobago radar could see into the Caroni Swamp and asked why no suspects were caught, while former commissioner Gary Griffith said publicising the capability could tip off criminals.[1]
