Thursday, November 27 2003

Thirteen persons were arrested in an early morning police exercise yesterday in the Laventille area by members of the Inter-Agency (police/army) Task Force, the Besson Street Criminal Investigation Depar-tment and the Court and Process Unit. The exercise, which ran from 2 am to 8 am in the Trou Macaque, Picton Road and Beverly Hills areas (known as “the killing zone”), yielded a nine-mm pistol, 12 rounds of ammunition and an army jacket and trousers.

Over the last 12 months Laventille, especially the areas mentioned, has recorded the highest rate of killings and shootings in the country. During the exercise, ten persons were arrested on outstanding warrants, while one was held for possession of arms and ammunition. Another man was held for the kidnapping of Mt Lambert businessman Morris Lewis last week. Lewis’ abductors had demanded drugs for payment for his freedom. Another man was held for the recent robbery of Shoe Locker outlets in Chaguanas and San Fernando. The gun and ammunition believed to have been used in various murders around the country are currently at the Forensic Science Centre for analysis. Those held are expected to appear before a Port-of-Spain magistrate today. Co-ordinating the exercise was Ag Inspector Sahadeo Singh. Also visiting the scene were ASP Errol Denoon, Inspector Brereton and Sgt Boyce.