The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) has reported a shortage of illegal narcotics in the country following recent US-led counter-narcotics operations targeting drug trafficking routes in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific regions.
Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro said on Tuesday that intelligence gathered by the TTPS and partner agencies confirms that the disruption of maritime drug routes has reduced the inflow of narcotics into Trinidad and Tobago. This, coupled with intensified police operations within the territories of the twin-island republic, has led to a shortage of drugs, and as a result, notable price increase in available narcotics.
“Since the bombings started, on September 12, the TTPS coordination with the TTCG (Coast Guard), we seized 268kgs of Colombian creepy marijuana, valued at 29 million plus dollars. On September 30, we executed a targeted operation in Fyzabad and we seized 201kgs of Colombian creepy marijuana valued at 22 million dollars.
“On October 1, we seized 1,177 kgs of the same marijuana, valued at 292 million dollars in the southwest peninsula. On October 21, we intercepted an Elantra carrying 90 packets, again valued at 5 million, and as last Saturday, November 1, we again intercepted another vehicle in Trincity, and we seized 108kgs…You’re seeing a pattern?” he said.
Guevarro said the TTPS will continue coordinating with the TTCG and intelligence agencies to maintain surveillance and enforcement efforts.
“Since we cut off the inflow of drugs… one or two get through. You know Trinis (are) real ingenious, (and) what’s the first thing they want to do? They (are) going to plant weed and we (are) already treating with that. It have (sic) men looking for particular breed of seeds from abroad to bring in. We (are) treating with that, already. The ACP, Mr Teewarie is already treating with marijuana eradication in all those different areas, so we (are) treating with that aspect of it.”
Guevarro said the TTPS, through its divisional commanders, has developed strategies to address the domestic cultivation of marijuana and other related offences.
“Ms (Suzette) Martin (DCP Operations) told me she was having meetings with divisional commanders, and we put strategies to deal with those aspects,” he said.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said that the United States’ military kinetic strikes on alleged drug boats have resulted in a reduction and, in effect, a shortage of illegal drugs flowing into Trinidad and Tobago. The shortage of illegal cocaine and marijuana has sent these prices for these illegal drugs sky-rocketing upwards of 55% and 33% respectively, she said.
The latest US operation, carried out on Saturday and announced by US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, brings the total number of strikes conducted by the United States in the Caribbean and Pacific to 15, with a total of 65 deaths.