Western Division police killed one man, injured another, arrested four and seized a huge haul of marijuana and a gun during an exercise on the North Post Road, Diego Martin, yesterday. The dead man was identified as Marlon Leo Reyes, 37, of Bagatelle, Diego Martin. Police said yesterday another six suspects escaped during the exercise but they believe some of them possibly suffered gunshot wounds. One of the suspects is a Jamaican national and the shipment is thought to have arrived from St Vincent by boat. The weight and street value of the drugs were still to be verified yesterday but Senior Supt Ishmael David and his officers at St James Police Station said their action was triggered after they received information.
He said a party of policemen, both tactical and CID, went to the North Post Road and saw a group of men loading bags onto a Toyota Hilux. On seeing the police, the men ran into the bush and the police followed them down a dirt track to the beach, where they were greeted by gunfire. Police returned fire and retreated, returning later at 5.30 am with reinforcements. Once again, the officers encountered the group of men and another gun battle ensued. The men dispersed into the bushes again but officers later found two of them injured. Reyes later died at hospital while the other injured suspect was under police guard at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital last night. David said the four other suspects, aged between 21 and 27 years old, remained in police custody yesterday.
A 9mm pistol and eight rounds of 40 calibre ammunition were also seized along with the Toyota Hilux. The drug haul was so large it had to be taken down to the beach where the Coast Guard assisted in taking it into the port to be transferred to the police station. Medical institutions have been asked to inform the police if anybody is admitted suffering from gunshot wounds. David thanked the officers who carried out the operation, including Supt Alfonso Pattison, ESP Augustus Williams, Inspector Henry Dann, Cpl Kevin Beckles, Cpl Marlon Linton, Cpl Marcus Jupiter and Insp Roger Thomas. David said: "It's hard when somebody dies and we sympathise with the (bereaved) family but we will continue the fight against crime."
