A joint police/army exercise over the weekend has resulted in excavators and trucks used in illegal quarrying being impounded and the arrests of those involved are imminent. The team included members of the Northern Division Task Force, soldiers and supporting agencies, the Specialist Evidence Recovery Unit and the Air Division. It was coordinated by the National Operations Centre (NOC), a statement from the Ministry of National security said yesterday.
The operation was conducted in the Matura Forest. This joint exercise, which began early Friday morning and concluded yesterday morning, resulted in the seizure of six excavators, one over-loader, seven trucks, backhoes and private cars, pending the outcome of further investigations.
In the statement, National Security Minister Gary Griffith advised public officials, especially MPs “to be thoughtful of what they say as they have no way of knowing what might be a current or ongoing operation being undertaken by law enforcement personnel, as ill-timed statements can negatively affect legitimate law enforcement strategies.”
The release said Griffith was drawing reference to the unfortunate statements made recently in Parliament by a long standing parliamentarian about the illegal quarry operation. Griffith said, “These statements almost compromised the above mentioned operation and the lives of the law enforcement personnel who were working on the ground.”
The minister noted that the operation on Saturday on the illegal quarrying was due to the last three months of intense intelligence gathering, surveillance and good investigative work of the law enforcement agencies.
He also reassured that his ministry is fully aware as to what is required via, land air and sea to “deal with criminal elements at every level of society as the combined arms of law enforcement in Trinidad & Tobago stand resolute and continue to operate at the highest levels of professionalism and dedication to duty.”
Also on Saturday, the release said, Coast Guard officers intercepted a pirogue at Cabresse Point on the southern side of Chacachacare Island, with one person on board. The vessel was searched and three crocus bags containing 80 packets of marijuana worth $621,000 seized. The lone occupant of the boat was arrested.