Cops seize 11 guns, ammo

WITH THE spiralling increase in murders, robberies and gun-running from South America to Trinidad, police mounted a major operation before and during Carnival. When the dust cleared, several persons including two pensioners, were in police custody and 11 guns, four traps, 199 rounds of ammunition, and a camouflage kit which they believed was used in robberies, were seized by members of the Firearms Interdiction Unit (FIU).

Yesterday, the weapons and the ammunition were displayed on a table for the media at Police Headquarters. One officer wondered whether persons were preparing for a war based on the seizures. But he pointed out that the seizures were just a dent and the FIU would be continuing their assault on the underworld and criminal elements in an attempt to retrieve the hundreds of illegal weapons in the country.
During Carnival, the police seized four 12-gauge shotguns, one home made shotgun, one .38 revolver, one .25 pistol, and two nine millimetre weapons. Yesterday afternoon, the police intercepted a car on the Southern Main Road, Couva, seized a 12-bore shotgun and a .380 pistol and arrested two men. Senior Supt Raymond Craig, head of the FIU, mounted a major exercise following reports of the prevalent use of firearms in the commission of murders and robberies.

A warrant was executed at the home of a 31-year-old man at Teak Village, Claxton Bay where they reportedly found a 12-gauge shotgun and five rounds of nine millimetre ammunition. The man and his wife were charged with possession of a firearm and ammunition. The police went to Tableland where they found one home made shotgun, four trap guns and shotgun cartridges. Lincoln Gomez, 34, a labourer, pleaded guilty before Magistrate Jai Narine in the Princes Town Magistrates Court and was sentenced to three years in prison. Police intercepted a vehicle at Debe Trace, Debe, where they reportedly found a United States-made nine millimetre pistol and 60 rounds of ammunition. A 34-year-old man of San Fernando was arrested and charged.

In another exercise, a 73-year-old pensioner of Tableland was charged with transferring ammunition to unauthorised persons. A 65-year-old relative of the same address was also charged with the same offence. Two licensed shotguns and 19 rounds of ammunition were seized following the arrests of the two elderly men. At De Gannes Village, Siparia, police detained a villager after a .38 Smith and Wesson revolver was seized. On Carnival Monday, police raided a house in Siparia and seized a camouflage kit. One man was arrested and charged. Investigators believed that this kit was used to carry out illegal activities. Police officers were on patrol at Ninth Avenue, Barataria when they saw two men acting suspiciously. They approached the men who fled. When police checked the area, they found a .25 pistol with a loaded magazine. No one was arrested. Assisting in the exercises were Supt Errol Dillon, ASP Gregory Correia, with field operations by ASP Chandraban Maharaj.  Other members were acting Insp Phillip, acting Sgt Dookie, and Constables Simon, Maraj, and Rollocks.