Five guns, hachet, knives, cutlass and other weapons seized

Police officers from the Port-of-Spain CID dressed in plain green jerseys mingled with Jouvert revellers on streets in Port-of-Spain and arrested 55 persons for a series of offences.

During that same exercise, officers seized five guns and a quantity of weapons including knives, cutlasses, and a pick-axe. Police officers believe that the large police presence and the seizure of the weapons ensured that stabbings, fights and crime were kept to a minimum. The exercise which started at 1 am saw a large contingent of police officers dressed in plain green jerseys mingling with the crowd of Jouvert revellers. Officers chose persons at random and carried out searches with the assistance of army officers. Several women were also searched and weapons found in their possession.

Senior officers said yesterday that the exercise was a major success. They added that several crimes normally associated with Jouvert were avoided because of the seizures and arrests. They added that special surveillance was paid on tourists who are normally targetted during the celebrations. Visitors were advised to stay away from certain areas and streets where crime is known to be rampant. Officers expressed concern over the type of weapons seized especially the pick-axe and rambo type knives. Yesterday, Police Commissioner Hilton Guy was high in praise of the work of the officers in Port-of-Spain, and added that the success was due to the planning, surveillance and groundwork of the officers involved. He said that all security measures were put in place, and he was happy to note that the Jouvert was crime free. He said that he expected today’s street mas celebrations to also be crime free based on the measures which will be implemented. The exercise yesterday was organised by ACP Crime Oswyn Allard and Snr Supt Reyes. It was led by Ag Supt Errol Denoon and included officers of the Port-of-Spain CID.