Shotgun, army gear recovered

According to reports, a party of officers led by Sgt Roger Alexander and including Cpl Bharath and Cpl Frank went to an abandoned house at Pump Trace, Pelican Extension Morvant at about 7 pm where they recovered the items hidden inside.

The officers were acting on information received from an anonymous caller to the Barataria Police Station.

Officials said further investigations were continuing to locate the owner of the army vest after a regimental number was found on it. Attempts to contact the Public Relations Officer of the Defence Force, Captain Al Alexander for a comment proved futile.

Meanwhile, in the Port of Spain Division officials reported that 43 persons had been arrested during special exercises at Nelson Street, George Street, Picton Street and Beetham Gardens between 10 pm on Thursday and 7 am yesterday.

Led by ASP Grant and Inspector Sahadeo Singh, officers raided these areas and held 30 persons suspected to be gang members, while the remaining persons were held for a variety of other offences.

The 30 appeared in the Port of Spain Magistrate’s Court yesterday charged under the Anti-Gang Legislation. Meanwhile, in the northern division, officers arrested five persons for possession of cocaine and apparatus during searches on Thursday night, while in the eastern division — 18 persons were arrested. Officers led by ASP Neville Sankar and Inspector Jude Worrell held four persons for suspected gang activity, while the 14 others were held for marijuana and cocaine possession.

Sgt Kenneth Rampersad along with detective Kerry Ramnarine of the Manzanilla Police Station carried out the raids in the Manzanilla and Biche areas between 6 pm on Thursday and 3 am yesterday.