$4 million in marijuana destroyed in Erin

Over $4 million worth of marijuana was discovered and destroyed when Task Force officers foiled a major drug operation in Erin on Saturday. Senior police officers attached to the South Western Division said the plantation was one of several being used to supply the drug trade around South Trinidad for the past several months.

As officers conducted road blocks and engaged in high speed chases for the arrest of possible suspects, they believe there are several other major plantations. According to reports, heavily armed officers led by Insp Harold Seedarie along with Sgts Ablacksingh, Gookool and Ramsingh were on a marijuana eradication exercise around 11 am when the plantation was spotted by the National Security Operations Centre’s Viper I helicopter.

The officers went to Lorensetto North Trace, an old oilfield road, where they came upon three fields containing approximately 4,000 fully grown marijuana trees planted several hundred metres in the forest. They also found a small nursery containing seedlings, fertilisers and other gardening tools next to a shack. However, when the officer checked no one was in the shack. 

They believe the suspects ran away after seeing the helicopter circling the area. The officers then destroyed the entire plantation by fire. Minutes later, Santa Flora police received information that three men were seen travelling on motorcycles with guns and narcotics. However, following a high speed chase and the apprehension of three riders, no illegal arms, ammunition or drugs were found. Saturday’s exercise was co-ordinated by Snr Supt Ramsey, Supt Sampath, and ASP Pardasie.