Joint police/army roadblocks net three

Two persons were arrested while a motorist was charged with driving without a driver’s permit during a roadblock exercise carried out at the Beetham Highway and Western Main Road, Cocorite, yesterday.

During the exercise, which involved over 100 police and soldiers, a man, wanted on a warrant, was held in a car at the Beetham Highway while a second person, a Jamaican, who has overstayed his time in this country, was also arrested. The third person was charged with the traffic offence. The roadblocks came to a premature end shortly after midday yesterday following heavy showers. Newsday learned that the roadblock exercises form part of the anti-crime plan aimed at flushing out criminal elements travelling in vehicles. The roadblock is also intended to search vehicles and seize illegal weapons and drugs.

Senior police officers said yesterday that more roadblock exercises will take place shortly and will be spread to other divisions. Motorists using both the Beetham Highway and the Western Main Road said yesterday that while they welcome the roadblocks, they feel that the exercises could be better managed to prevent traffic pile-ups. At the Beetham Highway and Western Main Road, traffic piled up for hours during the searches.The exercise at Beetham Highway was led by Captain Nedd of the Defence Force and ASP Alfred Sealey. Supt Lennox Gonzales led the exercise in the west.