T&T – $6.3 Million Worth of Ganja Seized by Police

2026-02-23 - 19:15

Law enforcement authorities in Trinidad and Tobago have intercepted a major shipment of illegal drugs valued at more than TT$6.3 million, as part of intensified efforts to disrupt regional narcotics trafficking networks. The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) confirmed on Sunday that officers seized a large quantity of marijuana believed to have been recently smuggled into the country from South America. Acting on intelligence reports, police conducted coordinated searches at two apartment buildings in Gasparillo on Saturday. During the operation, officers uncovered 109 packets of high-grade Colombian cannabis weighing approximately 57.42 kilograms. Authorities estimate the drugs carry a street value of TT$6,316,200. Investigators also confiscated TT$119,900 and US$146 in cash, which were allegedly concealed alongside the narcotics inside one of the apartments. Police said no occupants were present at the time of the search; however, investigations remain active and officials expect arrests to follow. According to the TTPS, the seizure underscores the importance of intelligence-driven policing and inter-divisional cooperation in dismantling organized criminal operations linked to transnational drug trafficking. Separate Anti-Drug Operation In a related development, officers launched another anti-narcotics exercise in Arouca along the east-west corridor. During that operation, a national of Suriname was detained and is assisting police with ongoing inquiries. Authorities reported that officers searched a hotel room connected to the suspect and discovered three transparent plastic bags containing Ketamine. The substance, a dissociative anesthetic used medically in both human and veterinary treatment, has increasingly appeared in illicit drug markets due to its hallucinogenic effects. The suspect was cautioned under the Judges’ Rules, arrested on suspicion of possession of a dangerous drug, and transported to the Besson Street Police Station along with the seized items. Police confirmed that the substance will undergo forensic testing to determine its exact composition and quantity. Growing Regional Concern Security officials note that Trinidad and Tobago’s geographic position along Caribbean trafficking routes makes it vulnerable to shipments moving between South America and North American or European markets. Authorities say recent seizures reflect stronger surveillance, intelligence sharing, and targeted enforcement strategies aimed at reducing the flow of narcotics and weakening organized criminal networks operating across the region. Investigations into both matters remain ongoing.