Man killed in shoot-out with cops

A MAN was shot dead by police and $3 million worth of cocaine and marijuana were seized following a  shoot-out at St Mary’s Village, Moruga, yesterday morning. The dead man has been identified as Lester James, 47, of Simon Trace, St Mary’s Village. Two other suspects, also of St Mary’s Village, were arrested and expected to be charged late yesterday. At around 12.15 am officers from the Inter-Agency Task Force based in Port-of-Spain were on an exercise along the Moruga Road when they saw a car parked on the side of the road with three male occupants. On seeing the police vehicle approaching, the men reportedly began acting suspiciously.

They subsequently opened fire on the police. The policemen returned gunfire and when the smoke cleared, James was bleeding from gunshot wounds. The other occupants of the car surrendered to police. James was rushed to the San Fernando General Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The two suspects have been detained at the Port-of-Spain CID and are to be charged with trafficking marijuana and cocaine and shooting at the police. PC Mc Guire is investigating.