Snr Supt McAplin lauds drug-eradication efforts

McAlpin was addressing yesterday’s weekly police press briefing at the Police Administration Building in Port of Spain.

He said over the periods from January to June 2016 and 2017, the police had had notable successes in the collective effort not only to deal with illegal arms and ammunition, but also to focus on narcotics offences.

“The effort in drug-supply reduction by local agencies such as Customs and Excise, TT Coast Guard, security agencies at all ports of entry should not go unnoticed, and for this, the TTPS commends them for their efforts,” he said. “These supply- reduction efforts, which represent illegal narcotic seizures and eradications, are only one aspect, as the OCNFB and other external stakeholders continued to engage in the demand- reduction exercises such as lectures, displays, and interaction with youth.” Mc Alpin said the demand-reduction exercises were geared toward diminishing the appetite and interest in illegal narcotics, and catered for people of all ages.

He said it was evident from the number of first-time offenders being held with large quantities of narcotics that offenders are not limited to unemployed people seeking financial gain, but also included professionals who were otherwise employed in high-paying jobs.

Mc Alpin said in respect of cocaine from January to June 2016, 78.7 kilogrammes were seized, but in 2107 32.86 kilogrammes were seized, a decrease of 58.48 per cent.

“In respect to marijuana seizures, we had 511.72 kilogrammes in 2016 [and] 663.68 kilogrammes in 2017, an increase of 29.7 per cent.

Arrests for cocaine: in 2016, 316 males were arrested and in 2017 we had 290 – 8.23 percent decrease.

Mc Alpin said the police and by extension the OCNFB had recognised a continued interest in possessing illegal firearms and narcotics by small groups in society, and had issued a clarion call to all civic-minded citizens to join the fight against crime.

“Those willing to assist the law enforcement community in making Trinidad and Tobago a safe place, we call upon you to help us to make the difference.”