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The nation’s ports are said to be the biggest challenge to, national security.

Minister of National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds says, guns and ammunition continue to enter the country through these ports.

However, he says new measures implemented to combat such activities are beginning to bear fruit.

The National Security Minister says, there is also an increase in security personnel at the ports.

Minister Hinds adds, the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago has also installed a very prolific CCTV camera system along the port to improve on security.

He was speaking earlier at a media conference hosted by, his ministry to address critical national security issues. 

A motorist goes through a roadblock in the western police division.

Police are said to have fired shots at the vehicle.

The incident occurred last Friday night while officers were conducting the roadblock, at the corner of western main road Diego Martin and Bagatelle Road.

According to police reports, officers tried to stop the driver of the vehicle, but the motorist ploughed through the roadblock.

It is said, officers first shouted for the driver to stop, but the vehicle began to swerve between them.

One officer fired shots, while attempting to get out of the way of the speeding vehicle.

The driver subsequently escaped via Bagatelle Road.

No police officers were hurt.

The search is on for a suspect in connection with the death of 22 year old, Shameia Went.

She was pronounced dead, after being dropped off at the accident and emergency department of the san fernando hospital.

Shameia Went, was taken to the hospital early yesterday morning by a neighbour.

Mrs. Went’s body was badly bruised.

Medical staff at the hospital tried to resuscitate the badly beaten woman, but failed.

Mrs. Went’s mother, Sharon Went, told TV6 news yesterday, her daughter was in a very abusive relationship.

She said, Mrs. Went would have made several reports to the police and left the home several times.

However, according to Mrs. Went’s mother she would always return to the abusive man.

The woman had no personal items on her, when neighbours left her at the hospital.

Police went to the couple’s apartment at Johnstone Street, San Fernando, where neighbours are said, to have confirmed that Shameia Went was heard screaming earlier that morning.

A neighbour also confessed that she and her husband placed the unconscious woman into their vehicle, and dropped her off at the hospital.

Up to last evening the suspect remained at large.

An ice cream vendor is one of two men shot dead over night.

He has been identified as Winston Sammy.

Reports say, the incident took place at Dow Village, California.

Reports say, Mr. Sammy was asleep when armed men stormed his house and demanded money.

The men beat Mr. Sammy and shot him.

 The bandits then escaped.

Mr. Sammy was pronounced dead at hospital a short time later.

Another man is shot dead this time in south Oropouche.

Up to news time he had not been identified.

Reports say, that incident took place at Hill View drive around 11:30 last night.

Investigations continue.

Motorists and members of the public are being told to prepare for an increase in stop and search exercises as the fight against violent crimes are beefed up

Roadblocks and searches are said to be among the tools to be used by the police service to weed up bad elements in the country

The anti-crime initiative began yesterday, and according deputy commissioner of police operations junior Benjamin, it is already bearing fruit.

The response follows a spate of murders last weekend.

A reported 17 murders were committed over a three-day period.

DCP Benjamin says, there is more to come.

He says, the TTPS intends to tap into every security apparatus available.

DCP Benjamin tells newscentre five the initiative is already bearing fruit.

While DCP Benjamin admitted that the police exercise was met with, mixed emotions by some.

The anti crime initiative began at 6am yesterday, and is expected to continue indefinitely.

The maxi taxi driver, who said no to helping police officers trying to make an arrest at city gate, has been charged.

The driver’s name is Tristan Gilkes.

He has been charged with failing to render aid to a police officer.

Mr. Gilkes went before master of the Port of Spain court, yesterday morning.

The matter was adjourned to August 9^th.

Mr. Gilkes was granted bail, which was taken by his wife.

President of the Route Two Maxi Taxi Association, Brenton Knights is standing by Mr. Gilkes.

Association President Brenton Knights says, the driver has the support of the association.

He believes the law on this issue is outdated.

According to the police service act, if a person is called upon to assist a police officer while in the execution of his duty, and that person refuses,

He is liable on summary conviction to a fine of, ten thousand dollars and to imprisonment for one year.

That law was amended to ten thousand dollars and three years in jail.

A teen is shot dead in east Port of Spain.

He has been identified as, 15-year-old Jerome Joseph also known

G.I.

Reports say, the incident took place on George Street around 6 o’clock this morning.

News Centre five understands, the man was walking along the road way when several explosions were heard.

Residents from nearby HDC planning found the man bleeding from, gun shot wounds.

Police are still on the scene.

The body of a man is found in Valencia.

He has been identified as Brandon Bruce.

He was 22 years old.

Reports say, the discovery was made at Smithland around 11 o’clock yesterday morning.

We understand a villager went to his pig farm, and found the body of Mr. Bruce lying face down in a pond.

Blood was seen coming from the body.

The police were called to the scene

Investigations are now ongoing.

Services resume today, at the Penal Rock Road Health Centre.

A release from the South West Regional Health Authority said, it was closed due to its inaccessibility as a result of overnight flooding.

Chairman of the Penal Debe Regional Corporation Gowtam Maharaj told of flooding in his area, and the need for funds to address the issue.

The southland was said to be hit hard last night with heavy showers, and thunderstorms.

In its wake flooding making some parts of the region impassible.

Chairman Maharaj told of the water that was yet to run off.

The alderman said, that funds are needed so that the needs of the area can be seen to:

He was speaking with Newscentre five yesterday.

A maxi taxi driver has been detained, after he reportedly refused to help police officers make an arrest.

On Tuesday, officers from the Port of Spain division were trying to make an arrest, and they asked the maxi driver to help them.

It is reported, he said, no.

Yesterday, police officers went to City Gate and detained the driver.

He is said to have told his colleagues at City Gate felt unsafe, and was unwilling to assist the officers, because of the crime situation in the country.

The man reportedly said, he did not want to be targeted by any retaliatory actions.

He was detained and could be charged under section-60, of the police service act.

The act says, if a person is called upon by a police officer, which was in the process of making an arrest or being assaulted and fails to do so.

That person faces a fine of 10 thousand dollars, and three years in prison.