Gang leader held, two guns seized
Two illegal firearms were seized and eight people arrested during police exercises between Saturday night and yesterday morning. One of the guns was recovered by officers of the North Eastern Division Task Force (NEDTF) while they were searching an empty lot next to the home of a 26-year-old gang leader from Evelyn Trace, El Socorro, San Juan, on Saturday night.
After finding the .38 Colt revolver and five rounds of ammunition, the officers, led by Sgt Cornelius Samuel, searched the man’s home and allegedly found 33 grammes of marijuana. The suspect clashed with the officers while being handcuffed and was eventually subdued, along with a male relative. The suspect’s 53-year-old mother also reportedly got involved in the fracas but was not detained by police.
In addition to marijuana possession, the gang leader is expected to be charged with obstructing officers in the execution of their duties, resisting arrest and using obscene language. Police are also expected to issue a summons to his mother for obstructing them. No one was charged for the illegal gun as it could not be linked to the gang leader. He and his male relative will appear in court this morning to answer the charges.
Cpls Quashie and Small and PCs Antoine, Duncan and Voisin were involved in the exercise. Meanwhile, the other gun was recovered by Northern Division Police during a stop-and-search exercise in Trincity on Sunday morning.
Police said around 5.30 am, officers were on patrol in Orange Grove, Trincity, when they stopped a white Nissan AD wagon with six male occupants. A .38 revolver and six rounds of ammunition was found hidden under the driver seat. All six men were arrested and were charged with firearm possession. They will appear in the Arima Magistrate’s Court this morning.
15 foreigners held in brothel raid
A businessman from central Trinidad has been detained for questioning in relation to a prostitution ring after 15 foreign nationals were found during a raid on his bar on Friday night. According to reports, officers of the Central Division, led by Insp Hosein and Jitindra Toolaram, raided the popular bar in Chase Village, Freeport, after receiving numerous complaints from residents.
In addition to scores of patrons, police found 15 foreign nationals—13 women and two men—they believed to be engaged in prostitution. The owner and the foreigners were arrested and remained detained by police up to late yesterday.
The foreigners, all of whom are believed to have entered the country illegally, were being questioned by Immigration officials and detectives of the Counter Trafficking Unit up to late yesterday. The operation included roadblocks, raids and searches throughout the division, which resulted in the arrest of 14 other people who were detained for drug possession, obscene language, larceny, shooting and robbery offenses.
The exercise was co-ordinated by Senior Supt Forde, Supts Kenny Mc Intyre and Grant and ASP Ajith Persad.
Man charged with Point murder
Four months after Stephan Sinnette was killed in his home, a 24-year-old man has been charged with his murder. The accused, of Production Drive, Sea Lots, is expected to appear before a Point Fortin magistrate today charged with murdering Sinnette on July 8.
Sinnette, of Beach Road, Chatham, was shot several times. Officers said he was involved in a fight with a man, whom he allegedly chopped about the face and hand. When officers went to his home to arrest him, Sinnette was discovered lying dead in a pool of blood in the living room of his house. PC Nelson of Region Three Homicide Bureau conducted investigations.
Meanwhile, the 17-year-old son of two police officers attached to the San Fernando City police, will also appear before a San Fernando magistrate today, charged with four separate robberies.
The teenager of Union Hall, San Fernando, was arrested during an exercise by police officers on Friday. He appeared on several identification parades and was later charged with the robberies which occurred in Princes Town, San Fernando and Barrackpore.