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Police say they have seized cocaine worth an estimated 4.5 million TT dollars, after uncovering the operations of a sophisticated drug trafficking network based in the south.

In a statement, the police said yesterday the intelligence-led operation also led to the arrest of a key suspect.

It said intelligence gathering is the cornerstone of effective policing.

According to the police, it allows them to anticipate and disrupt criminal activities before they can inflict harm on communities.

Police Commissioner Erla Harewood Christopher said in the statement, the success of this operation underscores how critical intelligence is in the fight against crime.

The police said, the operation stemmed from credible intelligence developed by the TTPS in 2023, which uncovered the operations of a sophisticated drug trafficking network based in south Trinidad. 

Police said, this network imported illegal narcotics from South America, concealed them within legitimate cargo, and exported them to various international destinations using local courier services.

The statement said following multiple arrests and significant seizures over the past year, the TTPS intelligence unit recently received information about an impending narcotics shipment.

Acting on this intelligence, officers identified a vehicle linked to the drug trafficking network on Tuesday.

The vehicle was intercepted along the Churchill Roosevelt highway on the outskirts of the capital, near the Grand Bazaar shopping centre.

During a search of the vehicle officers reportedly discovered and seized a total of 3.25 kilograms of cocaine, with an estimated street value of $4,530,240.

The driver was arrested, and he is assisting the investigations.

Reports of a dengue related death and two hospitalizations in the Barrackpore area.

It is said at least 11 members of a family are affected, and there is the fear of an increase.

The Express Newspaper quotes 63-year-old Mahindra Mahadeo as saying, several family members are dengue infected.

He says, his 65-year-old brother Sieunarine Mahadeo died last Tuesday, from the illness.

Mr. Mahadeo is said, to be one of the two dengue-related deaths in Trinidad

It is also confirmed; another was a teenager from Fyzabad.

Mr. Mahadeo’s relatives are now worried that others may succumb to the illness, especially since two other members were recently hospitalized at the San Fernando General Hospital.

The Ministry of Health has been pleading with members of the public, to do all they can to prevent infection and get rid of mosquito breeding sites.

Police in Marabella are investigating a report where, a 19-year-old man was sexually assaulted and robbed by someone he entertained at his house.

It is reported the victim had begun talking to the suspect on, LBGTQIA sexual meet-up site Grindr in the last month.

After several conversations, the victim said, he invited the suspect to his home last Saturday night.

However, he said at about 1 a.m. on Sunday, the man became aggressive and sexually assaulted him.

The suspect then left.

It is said, the suspect also took cash from the victim’s wallet

A report was made to the police.

More police officers from Trinidad are being sent to Tobago, to help their Tobago colleagues deal with the growing problem of crime.

Police commissioner, Erla Harewood-Christopher said yesterday, she has already deployed the officers.

Commissioner Harewood Christopher yesterday, made the announcement after a meeting of the National Security Council in Tobago.

This comes as police continue to search for three gunmen, who shot and killed Jumoke Duncan, who died at the Scarborough General Hospital, Anslem Douglas, Samuel Mckain, and Gregory Hamlet.

The trio died at the scene of the shooting on Monday, morning.

At a news conference following the meeting of the national Security Council, chaired by Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley, the top cop said, more resources are coming.

Responding to a question from the media, Dr. Rowley insisted the fight against crime is not lost.

Dr. Rowley recalled, the good old days of growing up in Tobago.

Chief Secretary Farley Augustine described the meeting yesterday, as timely.

The killings on Monday, brought the murder toll in Tobago to 16.

So far this year, Trinidad and Tobago has recorded 301 murders.

The police commissioner tells a joint select committee of parliament, she is unable to answer any question on a reported plot to overthrow the government.

Commissioner Erla Harewood Christopher, sat before the JSC yesterday.

The body inquired into the objective of, the violent crime reduction plan of the Trinidad and Tobago police service and other related initiatives.

Member Roodal Moonilal wanted to know if the TTPS was probing an issue raised by, Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley in the parliament last week.

However, he was left without any details. 

Commissioner Harewood-Christopher was questioned about what Dr. Moonilal, described as a concerning travel advisory issued by the United States.

The top cop admitted the advisory was troubling.

An early morning home invasion in Carlsen Field, Central Trinidad, yesterday left a son dead and his father in critical condition.

The Perez Farm, of Connector Road, Carlsen Field, was the site of what the family describes as another “targeted attack” on farmers in the community.

However, they said this one is different, as 27-year-old Christopher Christian was killed during the attack.

His father 66 year old, Matthew Perez Christian, was also injured and remains in a critical condition at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope.

Yesterday, Christopher’s mother Linda Frankie, said her son was helping with preparations for his grandfather’s funeral, prior to the attack.

A total of two dengue related deaths, have been recorded so far this year and the opposition is asking questions.

It wants the Minister of Health to come clean with the numbers.

Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh says, the opposition United National Congress is playing politics with the issue.

Yesterday, opposition Member of Parliament Dr Rishard Seecheran told of the second death.

Addressing the United National Congress media briefing, the Caroni East representative said, medical professionals are also concerned.

Dr. Seecheran said, Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh is denying what is in fact a crisis.

In a What’s App response yesterday, the health minister rubbished the claim.

He said, since February his ministry has been sensitizing the nation on how, to treat with the Aedes Egypti mosquito. He added, that politicizing dengue is not the way to educate, and inform the public as to steps to take in helping manage the situation.