Police stop firework sales

Any firework containing gun powder is restricted under the Act and as such, persons must have permission from the TT Police Service via a permit to sell these fireworks. Reports are that one female vendor was taken into custody after police found items being sold by her to contain traces of gunpowder. Police have vowed ongoing action to clamp down on the gunpowder products some of which were on display by vendors.

Hodge-Griffith told vendors of complaints made to the police about the illicit sale of scratch bombs which she said causes great distress to persons such as the elderly and to animals. Vendors were told that they face fines, which under the law is $2,000. The apprehended woman protested that the devices she sold made just “a small noise”, and are being sold everywhere. A male vendor said street vendors find it impossible to acquire a firework permit while another male vendor said the police should go after the “big fish” who import both small and large explosive devices instead of clamping down on the “small man” trying to eke out a living in these harsh economic times.