Cop blames ‘slackness’ for gun in cell

THE revolver and ammunition found in a food box at the Arima Police Station Friday afternoon may have been brought in on Thursday night when a number of people were arrested, police sources told Sunday Newsday yesterday.

In fact, one senior officer told Sunday Newsday that it was “total slackness” on the part of the police. The officer said the prisoners weren’t checked properly. “How could you take a parcel without checking it?” the senior officer asked, also wanting to know what was the real purpose behind the whole scenario. The senior officer also refuted claims that the .38 revolver and two rounds of ammunition were found at the Arima First Magistrate’s Court, which has no holding bay cells. Sunday Newsday was reliably informed that a police officer attached to the Arima Police Station heard a noise, and on checking, the officer saw a food box in the station cell.

When the food box was opened, police said the revolver and ammunition were found.  There were prisoners in the cell at the time, but police said none of the prisoners on hand claimed responsibility for the weapon. However, police sources said they have their  suspicions on how the weapon and ammunition got there, but they had no substantial evidence. Yesterday, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) Trevor Paul told Sunday Newsday that the matter will be “thoroughly investigated”. Northern Division police said the description of the .38 revolver will be taken to Modus Operandi, a department at the Port-of-Spain Criminal Investigations Department (CID), to be checked with information on their computer system to determine if it was used in previous crimes. Results are expected early next week. Police sources also said that the investigations will be indepth since the enquiry is a serious one. Special Branch police have been called in to assist the Arima police with the revolver and ammunition find.