Firearm seized, 2 arrested during Valencia raid

A coordinated anti-crime operation in the early hours of yesterday morning led to the arrest of two Valencia men, the seizure of a homemade shotgun and the recovery of a 16-year-old minor.

The exercise, which took place between 1 am and 4 am, involved a series of tactical raids, searches and roving checkpoints throughout the Valencia district. The targeted crackdown was coordinated by Senior Supt Etienne, Supt Beharry, ag Inspector Harper and ag Sgt Rampersad. Supervision of the ground teams was provided by Const Salina and ag Cpl Samaroo.

The operation saw a heavy deployment of law enforcement assets, including officers attached to the Emergency and Disaster Task Force (EDTF), the Valencia Charge Room and the Valencia Criminal Investigations Department (CID).

During the operation, officers executed a search warrant at a premises located along Fern Trace, Valencia. While searching the property, law enforcement personnel allegedly discovered one homemade shotgun alongside one 12-gauge cartridge. A 24-year-old man found at the residence was immediately arrested and taken into custody on charges of possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition.

A second suspect, aged 23, was also detained by police for further enquiries. He was found at the same Fern Trace premises in the company of a 16-year-old female. Both men, along with the minor, were conveyed to the Valencia Police Post under tight security.

Local authorities confirmed that separate investigations are active following the early morning raids. Enquiries into the firearm and ammunition offences are ongoing as investigators work to determine the origin of the homemade weapon. Simultaneously, a parallel investigation is being conducted into the circumstances surrounding the presence of the teenage minor at the premises with the older men.

No charges have been formally laid yet regarding the minor, but police sources indicate further interviews are scheduled.