The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) today destroyed more than 8.3 tonnes of illegal narcotics with an estimated street value of $1.6 billion. The drugs were seized in multiple operations and arrests, by the Southern, Eastern, North Eastern Divisions and the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), some dating back to 2005.The destroyed narcotics included:
• 3.08 tonnes of cocaine, valued at approximately $1.431 billion
• 5.22 tonnes of marijuana, valued at approximately $156 million
• 4.87 kilograms of ecstasy and heroin, valued at approximately $13 million
Speaking at the destruction exercise, held at the Caroni Cremation Site, Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro described the day as a landmark one for the TTPS and the law-abiding citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.
“We want to show accountability and transparency to the public,” he said.
The Commissioner said the destruction meant that fewer narcotics were reaching young people.
“The mere fact that we are able to destroy $1.68 billion worth of narcotics here for the world to see means that there are a lot of narcotics that are not making it into the hands of our children. A lot of narcotics that are not being sold to fuel gang violence against our citizens.”
He called on the public to continue working with the TTPS to remove illicit drugs from the streets. “We want the citizenry to continue to partner with the TTPS and law enforcement in getting rid of more narcotics than that.”
Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander echoed the Commissioner’s comments, noting the impact drugs can have on young people. He called on parents to take up the same effort.”Narcotics is destroying our community. So…we are destroying narcotics. This is war.
“We are asking parents now to take that same initiative. Destroy it from coming into your home. Destroy it from coming into your communities.”
The TTPS thanks all agencies that assisted with the exercise, including the Ministry of Homeland Security, the Tunapuna-Piarco Regional Corporation and the Ministry of Health.
The exercise was coordinated by Deputy Commissioner of Police-Intelligence and Investigation Natasha George, and assisted by ACP (Criminal Division) Kerwin Francis, ACP (Central Intelligence Bureau) Andy Tewarie and various divisional commanders.
