Trinidad and Tobago Police Seize Cocaine Worth Over TT$21 Million in Mayaro, Illicit Cigarettes Removed from Local Market

PORT OF SPAIN – The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) said cocaine, estimated at more than TT$21 million (One TT dollar=US$0.16 cents) washed ashore in Mayaro, south east of here, earlier this week.

The TTPS said that officers of the Mayaro Criminal Investigations Department (CID), acting on information received, proceeded to a location at Guayaguayare, Mayaro, on Wednesday, where the discovery was made.

It said the “officers observed 36 packets of a white substance resembling that of cocaine.

The drug has a total weight of 46 kilogrammes and an estimated street value of TT$21 373 440”.

No one has been detained in connection with the find.

Meanwhile, police said a total of 73 900 illicit cigarettes have been removed from the local market following an operation executed by the Multi-Agency Task Force (MATF) on Wednesday.

It said MATF officials carried out inspections of tobacco products and other goods on sale, for compliance with the Tobacco Control Act, Standards Act and for Health and Safety requirements.

“During the exercise, two locations in the Rio Claro district, (south east of here) were searched resulting in the seizure of large quantities of illicit cigarettes, alcohol, pharmaceuticals and electrical items. Multiple fire prevention deficiencies and electrical hazards were also identified at the two locations.”

The statement gave no indication as to whether any person had been arrested in regards to the seizure but said “MATF officials will continue their operations with a view to finding and seizing more illicit items on the local market”. (CMC)