Chinese national arrested, police dismantle meth lab

A Chinese national has been arrested after police carried out a bust at methamphetamine laboratory – reported to be the first discovered in TT – in San Fernando on Thursday.

In a release on Saturday, police said Special Branch officers executed a search warrant at The Residences, South Park, San Fernando, around 6 am, Thursday and found components assembled in the form of a clandestine laboratory.

Officers also discovered a quantity of cash, precursor chemicals and packets of crystals of various sizes resembling that of methamphetamine. The Chinese national was arrested in connection with the laboratory and the drugs seized. The lab was dismantled.

The exercise was the result of an "extensive intelligence-led " operation led by Supt Guevarro in partnership with US law enforcement agencies.

Police Commissioner Erla Christopher praised the "diligent work" of the officers, the release said. It said Christopher said the TTPS remained undaunted in its commitment to keep citizens safe and urged the public to continue partnering with officers to combat criminal activities in their communities.

She also sent a warning to international, regional and local criminal groups, that the TTPS stood firm and resolute in its mandate to "stamp out the scourge of illicit synthetic drugs which do great harm to our society."