Police gear, gun found under mattress in Guayaguayare

Eastern Division cops found several items, including a gun, police gear and camouflage items that were hidden under a mattress in a house in Guayaguayare early October 21.

Police reported that the gear had been issued to a police constable who has been on sick leave for the past year.

No arrests were made.

The find was part of anti-crime operations in the Mayaro district between 3 am and 7 am, co-ordinated by Snr Supt Paponette and led by Sgt Mohammed and Cpl Jaikaran.

With a warrant from the High Court, the officers searched a house at La Savanne Circular in Newlands for guns and ammunition.

The police found a Phantom BB Pistol 4.5mm with a holster, a police identification card in the name of a policeman, which was issued in October 2018, a blue t-shirt with the police emblem, a blue (police) operational jacket, a pair of black cargo pants, a black cap marked "Police," a ski mask, two pairs of camouflage trousers and an army-patterned t-shirt.

PC Sarabjit is leading the investigations.

The exercise included WPCs Ali-Ramharack, Mentor, Charles and Francis, PCs Sarabjit, Meighoo, Phillbert and François, together with PCs Ramlogal and Pierreir of the Canine Unit and dogs, accompanied by police dogs Apollo and Hulk.

This discovery comes just days after Police Commissioner Erla Harewood-Christopher issued a notice for officers to return their tactical clothing by October 23, reverting to the traditional grey shirt and blue pants.

DCP Junior Benjamin made this announcement on October 17 during a weekly briefing at police headquarters in Port of Spain, citing increased incidents involving "fake police" in criminal activities.

Members of the Guard and Emergency Branch (GEB), Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF), National Operating Task Force and the Multi-Operational Police Section (MOPS) are exempt from the advisory.

GEB and IATF officers will also be able to use digital camouflage.

Meanwhile, as part of the exercises on October 21, the police also arrested a 20-year-old woman from Charles Street, Guayaguayare for allegedly using obscene language and resisting arrest.

WPC Mentor is expected to lay the charges.

The police also searched the homes of two "priority offenders" at Plaisance Road, Mayaro, and La Savanne Circular, Guayaguayare, for guns and ammunition.

However, no illegal items were found at those locations.