$94 million drug bust

Police arrested eight people and seized more than $94 million in marijuana in an operation in central Trinidad.

A report said extensive intelligence and investigative work conducted by the Police Service led to a major disruption of a transnational organised drug syndicate with connections in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Jamaica.

Around 10.30 am on Wednesday officers of the Central Intelligence Bureau, the Northern Division Gang Unit, the Inter Agency Task Force (IATF), with support from officers of the Customs and Excise Department and Port Security, intercepted a container at Kolahal Road, Charlieville, Chaguanas.

The container reportedly left the Port of Port-of-Spain Port on the same day.

On searching the container, officers found 958 boxes containing a compressed marijuana, which weighed 947.64 kilogrammes, with a street value of $94,764,000.

Eight people were arrested and the sum of $60,000 was also seized.

Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in charge of investigations and Intelligence Mc Donald Jacob said the operation was as a result of cooperation from other internal and external law enforcement agencies.

He also said the major breakthrough was due to the efforts being made by Police Commissioner Gary Griffith to engender cooperation among the various regional law enforcement agencies.

Cpl Stephenson of the Northern Division is continuing investigations.

Charges are expected to be laid soon, both by the Police and the Customs and Excise Division.