In keeping with his promise to address illegal activities, Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro paid a surprise visit to specific areas in east Trinidad on Wednesday, as he sought to get a first-hand look at unsanctioned quarrying and mining.
His visit to areas in the Sangre Grande district, including Valencia and Manuel Congo, followed reports about unauthorised operations that had raised significant environmental and infrastructural concerns.
Disruptions to operations at the Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) water treatment plant in the area were also raised.
Responding immediately after it was brought to his attention, Guevarro led officers in a targeted operation on Wednesday. He surveyed the affected areas to assess the situation on the ground.
During the exercise, officers carried out several activities to collect information as they listed observations and made notes – all aimed at determining the scale and impact of the illegal activities.
The T&T Police Service (TTPS) assured, “At present, investigations are actively underway to ascertain the extent of any criminal conduct associated with these locations.”
—Anna-Lisa Paul