Police arrests soldier for attempting to smuggle marijuana, other contraband in prison

Trinidad and Tobago police arrested one of the soldiers for attempting to smuggle marijuana and various items of contraband into the Maximum Security Prison. He remains in custody and will be charged for the offence, while the other was released following enquiries conducted by police. Around 11 am on Tuesday 1st June 2021, two soldiers went to the Maximum Security Prison at Golden Grove, Arouca, to distribute food items to soldiers who are presently incarcerated. A team of Prison Officers conducted a search of the said items in the presence of the two soldiers, during which the following items were discovered:

1. Black duffle bag containing 1.5 kilograms of compressed marijuana;

2. 290 packs of cigarettes;

3. 100 cigarette lighters;

4. Three portable electric scales;

5. One cell phone charger;

6. One headphone;

7. Four packs of razor blades;

8. One cell phone holder;

9. Fifty sheets of wrapping paper along with other foodstuff items.

The two soldiers, both Warrant Officers attached to the Trinidad and Tobago Regiment, were detained, and the Arouca Police Station was contacted.

A party of officer led by ACP Andy Belfon, Snr Supt Renzey Ramdeen, Supt Powder, Supt Edwards, ASP Coggins, Insp Pitt, Ag Insp Callender, W/Sgt Robinson-Mottley and members of the Arouca CID visited the Maximum Security Prison, where several persons were interviewed. Both soldiers were initially taken to the Arouca Police Station along with the seized contraband. One of the soldiers was subsequently released.