Illegal mall guard held in police raid

IN WHAT police described as one of the largest exercises in Central Trinidad for 2005, 60 persons were arrested for various offences. Among those held were three illegal immigrants from Guyana, one of whom was arrested while on duty as a security guard at a popular shopping mall in Chaguanas. Police found passports from the United States and Ghana in the possession of the 31-year-old security guard, who was dressed in full uniform. Another Guyanese, 38, who was wanted by police after he escaped from lawmen in 2003 at Piarco Airport before he could be deported to his native land. Police said a third illegal immigrant, 21, could not provide them with documents to show that he entered the country legally.

Officials of the Immigration Department have been contacted and are working with the police in all three matters. Meanwhile, a couple arrested for trafficking 30 grammes of cocaine were also among suspects held during raids in Chaguanas, Enterprise, Talparo, Brasso, Mamoral, California, Cunupia, Longdenville, Charlieville and Felicity. Other suspects were arrested for  rape, robbery, shooting with intent, wounding, house breaking and larceny and drug offences. The exercise, conducted between 3 pm on Friday and 10 am yesterday, was coordinated by Snr Supt Barnett Mayers and Supt Rattan Singh. It was led by Insp of Central Division Crime Steven Ramsubhag and included Sgt Hayden McKenzie, Rudy Villafana, Danny Ramlogan, Cpl Mitchell Mohan, PCs Malon Alexander, Curtis Pierre, Malon Thomas and Toolan Oliver.