US resident quizzed on gun shipment

Investigators have been working on the theory that the large shipment of ammunition and firearms may have recently arrived in the country hidden in a crate which is believed to have had a false bottom.

According to reports, following the raid, a Person of Interest who has been living abroad for many years was contacted by relatives, arrived in the country on Sunday night and yesterday morning surrendered to investigators at the Princes Town CID.

The interview began just after 2 pm yesterday.

In a five-hour exercise last Friday, police executed two search warrants at two homes at Piparo Main Road, Lower Piparo where they found and seized 6,490 rounds of .22 ammunition; 230 rounds of .27 ammunition and 50 rounds of .25 ammunition.

They also seized one semi automatic nail gun, two air rifles and a 16 gauge shotgun and arrested three relatives.

Yesterday, in the Princes Town Magistrates court a 40-yearold Piparo machinist pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of a rifle and 21 rounds of .22 ammunition. He was fined $30,000. The court heard that around 4.15 pm on Friday, Sgt Ramlogan and members of the Princes Town CID and Criminal Gang Intelligence Unit, executed a search warrant at the man’s home and found the firearm and ammunition. PC Solomon laid the charge.

Charges are however yet to be laid against the father and son as investigations continue into what police officers have described as the largest ever ammunition haul in south Trinidad and possibly the country. Sgt Ramlogan is continuing investigations.