Cops seize 900 grammes of ganja -- two men held

SENIOR police officers were up to late evening checking firearms to determine if any shots were fired from them as claimed by residents of Beetham Estate.

“We are categorically denying this charge,” a senior officer told Newsday, even as Beetham residents were on a radio station claiming excess police brutality. While denying the charge, senior police officers said they will carry out the necessary firearm checks to make sure that the allegations are not true.

Senior police officers also told Newsday that contrary to the charges made, no member of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF) was present.

ASP Martin Murrain of the Port-of-Spain Division is spearheading that enquiry and no report on the firearm checks were available up to late evening. What police said actually happened is that a party of officers of the Port-of-Spain Divisional Task Force, led by Cpl Orr went to execute a search warrant at the home of a Phase II Beetham resident around 4.30 am yesterday.

The officers were on exercise at the time and police said when the officers got to the man’s home, the owner ran out, jumped a fence and was subsequently arrested.

Another man, who was also in the house at the time was arrested. Police said over 900 grammes of marijuana was found in the man’s home.

Both men were taken into police custody and are expected to be charged with possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking. 
They are due to put in a court appearance at the Port-of-Spain Magistrates’ Court Monday.