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The police service says it successfully removed 13 firearms from off the streets and out of the hands of the criminal elements over recent days.

An official statement from the TTPS says between Friday 5^th and Sunday 7^th August, a total of 9 firearms were seized in a series of coordinated anti-crime exercises.

a TTPS statement confirms that following these successes, more diligent and dedicated intelligence-driven work by officers in several divisions yesterday, resulted in the seizure of 4 more firearms and the arrests of 6 persons, during sustained anti-crime exercises across the country.

Police discover 2 guns, including a high-powered one, ammunition, duct tape, tie straps, and other items in a car intercepted in Tableland.

The TTPS says the stop and search exercise was conducted on Monday afternoon.

According to police the vehicle, which bore a false registration number plate, had 3 male occupants, a 17-year-old minor, a 20-year-old, and a 25-year-old.

On searching the silver Tiida car officers found an AR-15 rifle with 27 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, a Glock 17 pistol with a magazine containing 45 rounds of 9mm ammunition, tape, tie straps, masks and fishermen’s hats.

There were also several false number plates in the car.

Police say the minor is from Robert Village, Tableland.

Senior police officers in the southern division have commended the officers, including Cpl. Tyson, for their “outstanding and exemplary work” in finding the items and arresting the suspects.

The police referred to the suspects as priority offenders in the district.

They believe the suspects may be responsible for several other offences.

Investigations are ongoing.

A warning from the Acting Commissioner of Police, vigilante justice is dangerous.

Acting Commissioner Mac Donald Jacob made the comment following a citizens’ arrest carried out last weekend.   

On Saturday at around 1:45am villagers in Mamoral reported that 4 men were caught stealing cables and they carried out a citizen’s arrest.

The residents reportedly beat the men.

Yesterday Acting Commissioner Jacob cautioned people saying there is a law that allows for people to make an arrest without negative fallout.

The acting top cop further advised against using harsh force when making such arrests.

The 4 men were arrested, and a quantity of copper cable wire seized after officers responded to a report of larceny of cables last Saturday.

Two people including an American man have drowned in separate incidents.

The tragedies happened last Sunday at the Maracas Beach.

Reports say David Khan, a citizen of the US, was bathing at the beach at about 3.30 pm when he got into difficulty and disappeared underwater.

Following several searches Mr. Khan’s body resurfaced at around 5.50pm.

Three men brought the body to shore and attempts were made to resuscitate him.

However those efforts proved futile and he died at the scene.

In a separate incident, a Maracas St. Joseph man identified as Joshua Serette, was bathing at Tyrico Bay, when at about 6 pm he also got into difficulty and went underwater.

People at the beach went to his aid and pulled him out of the water.

An American doctor at the beach performed CPR on him; 24-year-old Mr. Serette was taken to the Port of Spain General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Autopsies are expected to be done on both men.

Two new COVID-19 deaths are recorded.

They are one elderly male and one middle-aged female, both of whom had multiple comorbidities.

This brings the total number of deaths to date to 4,070.

The ministry is also reporting 202 new positive cases of virus, bringing the country’s active caseload to 6,578.

There are now 176 persons hospitalized with the virus.

Opposition Leader Kamla Persad Bissessar tells her Local Government representatives to boycott a meeting carded for today with the Prime Minister.

Mrs. Persad Bissessar last night said the meeting called by Dr. Keith Rowley will yield no benefits to the people in the communities, who have been crying out for relief.

Mrs. Persad Bissessar said the monies spent by the present government over the years have not benefited the people and local government bodies have been stretched for resources.

Therefore, she sees no sense in attending the meeting today.

Mrs. Persad Bissessar was at the Monday night forum of her United National Congress.

The body found wrapped in a tarpaulin in Penal is believed to be that of 43-year-old Kareen Ramlal of Orange Grove Trace, Pasea, Tunapuna

A hammer was found near the body at Bobb Trace, Penal yesterday.

The woman’s identification card, her shoes and clothing were also found.

The body was found during a search by police officers and members of the Hunters’ Search and Rescue team.

The search for Ms. Ramlal began yesterday morning at 7am.

Ms. Ramlal was reported missing by relatives.

An autopsy is to be done on the body to determine the cause of Ms. Ramlal’s death.

Political leader of the Movement for Social Justice David Abdullah responds to the slamming he got from the Public Utilities Minister.

Last weekend Minister Marvin Gonsalez criticised Mr. Abdullah’s statements on the plans to restructure the Water And Sewerage Authority.

Minister Gonsalez said Mr. Abdullah has no moral authority to speak on what is to take place at WASA.

The Minister said Mr. Abdullah was in the Peoples Partnership government when the deal was made with DESALCOTT.

Yesterday Mr. Abdullah sought to set the record and the Minister straight.

Nevertheless Mr. Abdullah said Minister Gonsalez is yet to answer the questions posed about plans to send home WASA managers, and the hiring of others.

And there is a claim that the government has already started training people to fill management positions at the Water And Sewerage Authority.

The Public Utilities Minister Marvin Gonsalez has confirmed that managers at the company are to be sent home.

Yesterday Oropouche east MP Dr. Roodal Moonilal questioned the government’s motives and its transformation plans for WASA.

The Opposition MP is also talking about government’s engagement of a foreign firm.

The Public Utilities Minister has promised that nothing is being done at WASA without consultations and negotiations.