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Reports that the Carbo Star Cargo ferry has been sold, are said to be troubling Tobagonians.

Chief Secretary Farley Augustine is seeking to clear the air, on the pending departure.

The Carbo Star is at this time the sole cargo ferry, serving the sea bridge between Trinidad and Tobago.

It is said, the vessel is to make its final trip on January 12^th the day Tobagonians are going to the polls.

On the hosting in the Bethel/ New Grange electoral district last evening, political leader of the People’s National Movement’s Tobago council, Ancil Dennis questioned whether anything has been put in place for when, the Cabo Star departs.

However, in response, the chief secretary reminded that the information on the pending departure of vessel is not new.

He said, it was known since June 11th that the contract for the Cabo Star was coming to an end.

He said it was first raised at a meeting with stakeholders back in June.

Mr. Augustine said, minister Jerlean John provided him with an update ahead of his meeting in, Goodwood last evening.

The chief secretary says, he expects minister John to have a transition plan.

However he added he did not know the vessel was sold.

Tobago chamber head Curtis Williams, is hoping arrangements are in place for another vessel.

He wants the minister to put priority on a replacement.

Police are convinced domestic abuse would have led to the deaths of a Claxton Bay couple.

The two are 43-year-old Angel Lutchman and 29 year old Shazard Mohammed.

It is believed Mr. Mohammed fatally stabbed Ms. Lutchman and then hanged himself at the home they shared on, Abraham Street Pranz Gardens Claxton Bay.

The woman’s brother mark told reporters they had a violent relationship.

He told reporters in July police were called to the house, but Ms. Lutchman did not wish to pursue action against Mr. Mohammed.

Mark Lutchman said, it is yet another lesson from the first sign of abuse people need to get out.

A former public services association president says, the chief personnel officer cannot be blamed for what is taking place with the 10% negotiations.

PSA President Felisha Thomas has dubbed the CPO as the chief personnel obstructionist as she seeks to get back pay, for her members before Christmas.

Today, Jeniffer Baptiste primus says, Ms. Thomas is pointing fingers in the wrong direction regarding cash payments for back pay.

Mrs. Baptiste primus says Ms. Thomas should know the CPO follows instructions from the minister of finance

Finance Minister Dave Tancoo is today quoted as saying, the 3.8 billion dollar back pay in still being negotiated.

Mrs. Baptiste Primus said, this morning Ms. Thomas signed a partial agreement, and she must tell her members what it contains.

Mrs. Baptiste Primus said, unions do not negotiate with government officials.

She believes Ms. Thomas was hoodwinked, by all the goodies she received from the government.

According to Mrs. Baptiste Primus, Felisha Thomas sold out public workers.

Speaking on TV6’s Morning Edition programme today, Mrs. Baptiste Primus said, it appears the PSA team did not know what it was signing.

Police are yet to make any arrests after over 3 million dollars worth of marijuana, arms and ammunition are discovered in Glencoe.

The find was made during a coordinated joint exercise, involving the TTPS and members of the Defence Force.

In a statement the TTPS says, over 31 kilogrammes of cannabis were found during an intelligence-led, anti-crime operation between 6:00 am and 2:00pm yesterday, in forested areas off upper La Horquette Valley Road, Glencoe.

It says, extensive searches were conducted on both the eastern and western sides of the valley, approximately two miles into the forested terrain.

On the eastern side, officers discovered a blue barrel containing 7 packages of marijuana, 30 rounds of 12-gauge cartridges, 13 rounds of 7.62 ammunition, 220 rounds of 5.56 ammunition, 1 extended magazine, and 1 glock speed loader.

Further searches on the western side of the area uncovered another barrel containing, 17.04 kilogrammes of compressed cannabis.

The total weight of the seized narcotics is 31.20 kilogrammes, with an estimated street value of $3.4 million dollars.

Meanwhile, President General of the Oilfield Workers Trade Union, Ancel Roget is giving his full support to parliamentary secretary, in the Ministry of Public Utilities Clyde Elder and the Labour Minister Leroy Baptiste.

Some has criticized recent statements made by the two.

Their statements followed the outcome of ten percent negotiations, for public servants.

Mr. Roget said, the two comrades are correct and they have his support.

He is also issuing a warning to critics, of the government he is a part of.

Mr. Roget was part of a commemoration of the closure of the, Petrotrin refinery.

Two women are now in police custody after they were allegedly found in possession of cocaine at, the Arthur NR Robinson International Airport.

The cocaine, packaged in boxes of cake mix was found on Tuesday.

The arrests and discovery were made by officers of the Special Investigations Unit, while conducting routine duties at the airport, paying special attention to passengers scheduled to board a flight destined for Frankfurt, Germany.

Police are said to have stopped and interviewed a 27-year-old woman from Arima, and conducted a search of her luggage, where, hidden among items of clothing were six boxes of cake mix.

Upon further examination, the white powdery substance inside the boxes was found to be cocaine.

The officers say another passenger, a 20-year-old woman from Arima bypass, Arima, was also interviewed.

A search of her luggage revealed five similarly packaged boxes, which likewise contained cocaine.”

Police reported the seized packages weighed 11.757 kg, with an estimated street value of TT$16,388,564.00 and that investigations are continuing.

Meanwhile, police have said a male suspect is assisting the investigations in Trinidad after they seized marijuana, with a street value of TT$4.4 million on Wednesday.

According to the cops they had intercepted a vehicle travelling westbound along the, Churchill Roosevelt Highway on the outskirts of the capital, Port of Spain, where t a search resulted in the discovery of 40 packages of compressed Colombian “creepy” marijuana, weighing 20.74 kilogrammes.

Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, and Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, had a whirlwind meeting in Port of Spain.

The two leaders yesterday, reaffirmed the partnership between the countries.

The meeting was held at the diplomatic centre and it is said, the prime minister and the joint chief of staff, also discussed shared priorities for regional security and stability.

 A release from joint staff spokesperson Joseph Holstead, also noted that they exchanged views on challenges affecting the Caribbean region, including the destabilizing effects of illicit narcotics, arms, and human trafficking, and transnational criminal organization activities.

The chairman emphasized that close cooperation between the two nations, directly contributes to safeguarding regional security.

General Caine expressed, appreciation for the country’s continued leadership and partnership in advancing mutual objectives.

He reaffirmed that the US remains committed to working closely with Trinidad and Tobago to address shared threats and deepen collaboration across the region.

The prime minister also issued a brief after the talks describing them as, excellent.

In a statement posted on x, Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar described the talks as  “excellent” saying, that both Trinidad and Tobago and the North American country “continue to share a strong and enduring partnership”.

Chief whip Marvin Gonsalez, wants greater transparency from the prime minister.

The opposition official said, there is a vacuum created when there is no information.

Mr. Gonsalez was addressing a news conference yesterday.

General Caine’s visit came as the United States President Donald Trump has ramped up its military presence in the Caribbean Sea, ordering an amphibious squadron to the southern Caribbean, as part of his effort to address threats from Latin American drug cartels.