A joint intelligence-led operation involving the Transnational Organised Crime Unit, Trinidad and Tobago’s Vetted Unit and South Western Division police took place in Palo Seco.[1] The operation followed the arrest on Tuesday of a key associate of a drug-trafficking network, after which officers kept a remote area along Quarry Road under surveillance.[1] Authorities said the network planned to move remaining drugs from a hidden stash to avoid detection, so surveillance teams stayed in place overnight before launching a coordinated search and lockdown on Wednesday.[1] Officers found the drugs at a concealed stash site after overnight surveillance of the remote area.[2]
The search produced 1,177.4 kilogrammes of Colombian creepy marijuana packed in 41 crocus bags, which police valued at $129,216,117.[1] Officers also found 117.14 kilogrammes of cocaine packed in five crocus bags, valued at TT$163,283,788.80.[2] Police put the combined value of the narcotics seized on 1 October at approximately $292,499,906.[1] With Tuesday’s seizure included, police put the two-day total at TT$314,666,605 worth of illegal drugs.[1] Officers transported the narcotics to Siparia Police Station as investigations continued.[1]
Police described the seizure as a major blow to a prominent drug-trafficking network operating in the South Western Division.[1] The Ministry of Homeland Security commended the Vetted Unit and supporting officers and said the operation demonstrated the Government’s commitment to dismantling organized criminal networks.[2]
