One man remains in police custody and another is being hunted by police after they seized a high-powered rifle in Carapo, near Arima, on Monday night.Around 6.30 pm, police assigned to Northern Division Task Force (NDTF), led by Sgt Matthew Harewood, were on patrol at Race Course Road, Carapo, when they spotted two men, one of whom was carrying a rifle. When they saw the police the men ran in different directions.
The police followed the man who was carrying the gun and arrested him a short distance away.The other suspect, who investigators said they recognised, and is wanted in connection with several recent violent crimes in east Trinidad, ran away through a patch of bush.Both men are said to be part of a religious organisation whose base is in Evergreen, Carapo. The organisation's mosque and surrounding buildings were searched after the rifle was seized but no other illegal items were found.
Members of the organisation who were present were detained in the mosque during the raid and were only allowed to leave after the search ended.The search was carried out by several dozen officers from the Northern Division, who were assisted by a National Security helicopter.Cpl Pooran Sookram, PCs Ancil Andrews and Kern Williams were also involved.