PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):
WITH JUST a few more hours to the official start of Carnival 2006, Trinidad and Tobago police have stepped into high gear, arresting some 19 people for various offences ranging from illegal possession of ammunition to drugs.
On the weekend, a woman and a 37-year-old man were held in connection with a series of robberies in South Trinidad.
A 35-year-old man was also arrested for possession of illegal rum, while a 23-year-old man was charged with possession of marijuana. Two others were arrested on outstanding warrants. Officers attached to the South-Western Division conducted the raid throughout Point Fortin and the six are expected to appear before a Point Fortin Magistrate on Monday.
In another exercise, 13 people were held during an early morning roadblock in East Trinidad yesterday. Ten were held on outstanding warrants, while one man was detained for disorderly conduct. Another man was held for possession of ammunition and another for possession of drugs. The arrested persons range in ages from 16 to 32.
PREVENTION INITIATIVE
According to the police, the roadblocks are part of their carnival crime prevention initiative. They said the exercise would continue into Ash Wednesday. Similar exercises were being undertaken in the Western and North-Eastern divisions.
The raids are in keeping with assurances from National Security Minister Martin Joseph and Commissioner of Police Trevor Paul to use whatever means necessary to keep the criminals at bay.
Joseph said there would be 1,600 soldiers on the streets for carnival today and tomorrow with a further 600 on standby to deal to deal with lawbreakers.
He was addressing a post-Cabinet press conference at Whitehall last Thursday.
