Cocaine, scratch bombs, rocket launchers seized

Officers from San Fernando CID on Monday raided a Duncan Village house and seized over $400,000 in cocaine, over 6,000 scratch bombs and a quantity of fireworks rocket launchers. A 29-year-old man, who was allegedly held in the house, appeared before a San Fernando magistrate charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking and possession of explosives without the requisite licences. Police sources told Newsday that Monday’s raid came after weeks of intense, round-the-clock surveillance as well as preliminary investigations coordinated by Superinten-dent of San Fernando CID Rajendranath Maharaj and Insp Brereton.

According to police reports, around 10.30 am, a team of officers led by Sgt Matthew Noel and including Cpl Smith and PCs Inshan Teeluck, Harrysingh, Bynoe and Johnson surrounded a house at Siparia Erin Road, Duncan Village, San Fernando and executed a search warrant. During a search of the house, the officers found and seized a quantity of cocaine, already pre-packaged in cellophane wrapping, with an estimated local street value of $450,000, 6,500 scratch bombs and 400 fireworks rocket launchers. The occupant of the house was arrested and subsequently interrogated. Charges were laid against him by PC Inshan Teeluck. Police sources told Newsday they believed the cocaine and explosives originated from Venezuela and were for resale on the local market.