'Key' gang member held in Vistabella with arms, ammo

POLICE have arrested a 42-year-old murder suspect with two high-powered guns and ammunition in Vistabella on Saturday night.

A release from police said investigators described the suspect as a key member of a gang operating in south Trinidad. Police wanted him in connection with several murders and shootings in south Trinidad.

The release said at around 9.30 pm on Saturday, members of the Southern Division Task Force on mobile patrol along Boodoosingh Street, Vistabella, stopped and searched the man. He lives a short distance away at Hubert Rance Street.

The officers allegedly found a black plastic bag containing an M4 Assault Rifle with two magazines, ten rounds of 5.56 ammunition. They also found a Heckler and Koch A5 sub machine gun with one magazine. Police immediately arrested and took him to the Marabella polices station.

The release said police are now searching for other members of two gangs operating in the south. It quoted acting Commissioner of Police, Mc Donald Jacob, saying the police from the Southern Division and other units within the TTPS have no intention to sit idly by and allow the criminal elements to continue with their foolish and senseless gang violence.

Jacob said: "Our intention is to attack with all the artillery given to us within the law. Our message is a simple one for the other gang members - give up now or stand the consequences."