Northern Division police yesterday recovered two high-powered assault rifles and a cache of ammunition during an exercise in Carapo, Arima. Investigators said shortly after 7 am, police led by Insp Wayne Baptiste were on patrol near Spring Road, Carapo, when they arrested the 28-year-old suspect and found the gun hidden in the bush. Police described the weapons as an American-made AR-15 and an AK-47 assault rifle, which is manufactured in Russia. The officers also recovered 65 rounds of assorted ammunition.
The suspect is believed to be a member of a criminal gang in the community. He is expected to be charged with illegal firearm and ammunition possession and will appear in the Arima Magistrates Court on Monday morning. Police said the high-powered rifles will be taken to the Forensic Science Centre in St James for ballistic testing to determine if they were used in recent shootings or murders in east Trinidad.
Meanwhile, a 63-year-old Nigerian doctor and his 28-year-old son remain in police custody after a quantity of high-grade marijuana and ammunition were recovered at their D’Abadie home on Thursday night. Around 9.15 pm on Thursday night, police searched the family’s Bregon Park, D’Abadie, home, and found three kilos of marijuana and 17 rounds of .44 ammunition hidden in a bedroom.
The father and son are expected to appear before an Arima magistrate on Monday. Both exercises were co-ordinated by Senior Supt David Abraham and included Sgts Pitt and Parks.