In Brief
- What happened: The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) detained 25 suspected illegal immigrants and seized a vessel.
- Where and when: Along the coastal and forested areas of the western peninsula at approximately 11.30 pm on Tuesday.
- How: Officers from the Coastal and Air Support Unit and the Western Division tracked the vessel using drones as part of ‘Operation BLAST.’
Twenty-five suspected illegal immigrants have been detained by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) after officers deployed drones over coastal and forested areas in the western peninsula.
In a press release issued on Thursday, the TTPS reported that the individuals were intercepted during a late-night exercise on Tuesday.
At approximately 11.30 pm, officers from the Coastal and Air Support Unit, assisted by the Western Division, launched drones to search the peninsula as part of “Operation BLAST” (Bringing Land, Air and Sea Together).
During the search, officers located, stopped, and seized a vessel carrying the 25 individuals.
The exercise was sanctioned by DCP Operations Suzette Martin and coordinated by ACP Tactical Support Collis Hazel, with field supervision led by ASP Ronny Rampallard and Inspector Fabian Brisbane.
The TTPS stated that investigations are ongoing, with support from the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard and the Immigration Division.
