Former soldiers leave TTDF embarrassed

The soldiers who were publicly named during a press conference yesterday at the Office of the Prime Minister in St Clair were held with four brand new guns including a Mac-11 machine-gun and a quantity of assorted ammunition following a shooting incident in Nagee Road, Hindustan, New Grant.

Inside the ex-soldier’s vehicle several false number plates were also found.

Brigadier General Smart spoke at a joint press conference with Acting Commissioner of Police Harold Phillip at the Office of the Prime Minister.

He said, “The Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force is severely disappointed that these individuals, who were once trusted individuals, could allow themselves to be used in such a way by the criminal elements.

As a consequence of that, we will ensure that any information we have that will assist the police in their operations, we will share with them.” And as he commended his colleagues of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, “for the wonderful job they did this morning”, Smart vowed to continue working with them.

He went on to praise police officers for their quick response.

He added that the former TTDF officers were discharged because they were not displaying the behaviour junior leaders should display.

“They were both discharged in 2014, one being there for just about 18 years and the other one just about 14 years.” The ex-soldiers are being investigated for offences such as attempted arson, possession of firearms and ammunition and wounding with intent to