Determined to combat the spillover of guns, drugs and immigrants fleeing Venezuela, over 250 law enforcement officers locked down hot spot areas in San Fernando and Marabella yesterday.
The exercise included about 250 officers from the T&T Coast Guard, Air Guard, Defence Force, National Operations Centre, Canine Unit, Prisons Service as well as officers from the Central, South and South Western Divisional Task Force.
The exercise started around 2 am at Bayshore, Marabella, and along the old trainline where illegal guns and drugs were brought in.
By 9 am, officers had moved to apartments in Ramsaran Street and then to Embacadere in San Fernando. More than a dozen foreign nationals were interviewed. They were made to show their passports to prove they were staying in Trinidad legally. Some of the foreigners did not speak English and hid from the media’s cameras. Two guns were also found in Embacadere.
In an interview yesterday, Senior Supt Irwin Hackshaw said a total of 75 guns had already been removed from the streets since similar exercises began.
“This exercise represents zero tolerance to all the criminals. Several people have already been arrested on various charges,” Hackshaw added.
He said the exercises were not only in relation to guns and illegal immigrants.
“As commander of the division I saw it fit to have a general exercise. Illegal firearms are coming in and we have to take into control this situation. All illegal ports of entry are being monitored and I am sure the Coast Guard is taking control of these ports. In the meantime we are doing our part on land.”
He added, “There are lots of illegal immigrants in the country and when we find them we will detain them.”
Shinneil Samuel of Embacadere said she welcomed the joint patrols. “It is a good thing because it makes us feel safer,” she said.
Another resident said within recent times “certain elements” had been hiding out at Embacadere. “We called for more patrols and we are happy to see this,” they said.
Jacque Ashford said since Venezuela became embroiled in a social crisis, more foreigners had been flocking to Trinidad. Expressing sadness for the plight of the people, Ashford said Venezuelans should be allowed to stay in T&T. “Many are coming in search of greener pastures. We don’t know what the future holds for us so I have nothing against them coming here,” Ashford added.
Police said they would continue the exercises in the upcoming months.