15 arrested, gun seized

“Operation Baghdad,” the anti-crime plan aimed at flushing out criminal elements in Laventille and surrounding areas got underway at 5 am yesterday, when a large contingent of policemen and soldiers moved into Laventille and cordoned off several areas.

Ironically, around 5.30 am at Alexander Place, Rose Hill, the party also stumbled upon the body of a man, prison officer Winston Sandy, who had been shot at point blank range and killed mafia-style. Sandy’s murder brought to the scene a large group of prison officers. By the end of the early morning exercise 15 people had been arrested for drug possession, arms and ammunition and outstanding warrants. Police also seized a .22 pistol, and one round of ammunition. Residents of Laventille welcomed the action but pointed out that the real criminals had gone into hiding and would come back to Laventille only to shoot or kill their victims. They, however, said the regular presence of policemen and soldiers in the area would restore peace. From as early as 3.30 am, five trucks transporting heavily armed soldiers arrived outside the recently refurbished Police Headquarters on St Vincent Street.

Inside the CID building, police officers from the Guard and Emergency Branch, CID, Crime Suppression Unit, Port-of-Spain Task Force, North Eastern and other officers were briefed about the exercise by ASP Alfred Sealey. Around 5 am, the convoy of vehicles moved out to Laventille and “Operation Baghdad” was underway. The first stop was John John where a car transporting persons in muslim garb was stopped and searched before being allowed to proceed. The joint team of officers then went to Mapp Trace, Brooklyn, Laventille Road, Pump Trace, Desperlie Crescent, Blondell Alley, and Rose Hill where several road blocks and random searches were conducted, including a search of one house.

A man was held with one round of ammunition and was arrested. Residents told Newsday that they will feel much safer in their homes if the police and army continue to maintain a heavy presence in Laventille on a round the clock basis. Newsday learned that “Operation Baghdad” will continue indefinately. Police officers involved in the exercise have been placed on temporary transfer to the Port-of-Spain CID. Senior officers said yesterday that the searches will continue and certain measures put in place to ensure that the criminal elements in Laventille are weeded out.