6 Venezuelans caught trying to enter T&T illegally

Six Venezuelan nationals were held while attempting to enter the country illegally on Tuesday night. In a statement yesterday, the T&T Police Service (TTPS) praised its officers, along with the T&T Coast Guard (TTCG), for the interception.

The TTPS said acting on intelligence received from the National Radar Centre, a TTCG team from the Cedros base, including Petty Officer Seecharan, Able Seaman King and Lead Electrician Adams intercepted a suspicious vessel off the coast of Icacos around 10 pm on Tuesday.

Police said the pirogue, which was heading towards Trinidad’s south-western shores, was found to be carrying six Venezuelans.

Police said the individuals were promptly handed over to the Cedros Police Station, where PC Valdez and his team initiated immediate investigations into the matter.

The TTPS reminded citizens that border security is a shared responsibility, and urged anyone with information on suspicious activity to contact the police.

Meanwhile, two Venezuelan nationals were arrested and one revolver and a quantity of ammunition were seized, shortly after an attempt to steal from two men in Penal on Wednesday.

Police said one of the victims reported to officers that he was plying his vehicle for hire around 6 am with one male passenger in the front seat, when he picked up two other male passengers. He said on reaching Clarke Road, Penal, one of the men hit him on the back of the head with a metal object. The victim told police he stopped the car and was attempting to exit the vehicle when one of the suspects pointed a gun at him.

During the incident, a struggle ensued between the driver and the armed suspect, resulting in the driver being shot in his left thigh. The front seat passenger ran and was able to alert two security guards about the incident. The two suspects were held a short time later and one Smith and Wesson revolver loaded with two rounds of ammunition was seized.

In the Western Division, Task Force officers conducted an exercise in Diego Martin between 11.30 am and 2.30 pm on Wednesday.

Police said during the exercise, officers proceeded to the corner of North Post and Blue Basin Roads, where they conducted a search that resulted in the discovery of one firearm loaded with a magazine.

Over in the Port-of-Spain Division, officers of the Inter-Agency Task Force conducted an exercise from 2 pm to 8 pm. Several buildings in the Upper Nelson Street Plannings were searched, resulting in the discovery of quantities of cannabis, cocaine, 61 rounds of 5.56 ammunition and one rifle magazine.

The operation was spearheaded by ACP Hazel, Snr Supt Sooker, Supt Ramsook, ASP Singh and included officers of the Joint Operations Task Force and Canine Branch. Investigations are ongoing into all the incidents.