A surveillance operation by Southern Division police and the Transnational Organised Crime Unit led to the seizure of $15.3 million in high-grade Colombian cocaine on Tuesday.
A 27-year-old Colombian national who resided in Gasparillo, two La Romaine brothers: a 36-year-old taxi driver and a 34- year-old pipe-fitter, and an Arima taxi driver, 23, were all arrested.
They are being detained at several stations in South Trinidad for questioning.
A report stated that the officers were engaged in a 10-hour long operation coordinated by Snr Supt Zamsheed Mohammed, ASP Ali Mohammed and Insp Don Gajadhar in the La Romaine district.
Based on intelligence, the team of officers—comprising Sgt Commissiong, Sgt Parasram, Sgt Ramroop and woman Sgt Morrison—set up a road block and stopped a silver Toyota Fielder station wagon, along Rahaman Drive, La Romaine, with two male occupants.
A search of the vehicle yielded a rectangular packet containing 1.3 kg of pure cocaine with a stamp identifying that it originated from Colombia.
The 23-year-old taxi driver and the Colombian national were arrested.
Twenty-Five minutes later, the officers stopped and searched a silver Mitsubishi Lancer wagon along Bobb Street, La Romaine, driven by the La Romaine brothers.
The search resulted in nine packets, containing 9.7 kilogrammes of cocaine being found.
