Officers from the Port-of-Spain City Police Multi-Operation Unit in collaboration with officers from the Special Investigation Unit of the Customs and Excise Division seized a large quantity of alcohol from vendors who were allegedly selling alcohol without a licence, camouflage clothing and wrapping paper during an exercise in the Central Market, Port-of-Spain, yesterday.
The ongoing exercise was spearheaded by Supt Glen Charles.
During the exercise, which began around 9 am, the officers searched several of the vendors' booths and found cases of Carib, Stag, Heineken, Carib Light beer and Magnum wine.
Several of the vendors were arrested and charged on multiple occasions for selling alcoholic beverages without a licence and the police were monitoring their activities. The vendors were served notice by the Customs officers to appear at Customs House tomorrow.
Charles said besides selling alcohol without a licence, the camouflage clothing was illegal for civilians, the wrapping paper was used to wrap marijuana and other narcotics and a licence was needed from Customs.
“The market is attracting some 'extra-curricular' activities,” Charles said.
“It's supposed to be a place for people to come and make market, but when you have the illegal sale of drinks increasing, it's turning into a liming spot.
“All the stores are getting customers, so instead of people coming to sell agricultural produce, they are selling alcohol.
“They are staying there causing criminal behaviour and conduct with swearing and fighting.”
He said while the authorities were trying to bring the market back to a safe place, some of the vendors continued with their illegal activities. But he said they were not going to let up on their surveillance.
Charles said there were other illegal activities at the market such as drugs and the police had even received reports of human trafficking because of Caricom trade. He said the police were working with intelligence information and being very meticulous.