$14M coke bust lands unemployed man in court

A 31-year-old unemployed man is going to court Monday to answer several charges related to a massive weekend cocaine bust. The drugs are said to have a street value of around TT$14 million.

Police seized the drugs, marijuana valued at around TT$50,000 and two high-end pistols during a raid at a house in San Juan, Trinidad. The 35 kilos of cocaine were wrapped in waterproof 1kg packets.

Investigators say one of the guns is a high-powered weapon known internationally for its accuracy due to its hi-tech laser sighting attachment, which helps with finding a target in poor visibility conditions.

Acting Deputy Police Commissioner Gilbert Reyes told the Newsday newspaper the bust was "an excellent piece of work" and commended the officers involved. He agreed that criminals are getting more sophisticated weapons and said the Police Service is "fully aware" of the situation.

“We will be setting up our own police marine branch to deal with the importation of illegal arms and ammunition and other illicit items,” he told the paper.