A policeman is now in custody after a team from the Firearm Interdiction Unit (FIU) seized an arsenal of weapons, including army-issued grenades, from his Valsayn home early yesterday morning.
Police sources report that at around 5.55 am yesterday, FIU officers, under Insp Mitchell Manswell, swooped down on the constable?s home and executed a search warrant.
The 40-year-old constable, who has more than 13 years? service, and his 22-year-old common-law wife were arrested and taken to the FIU?s St Vincent Street, Port-of-Spain, headquarters where they were interrogated.
No charges had been laid up until late last evening.
Five grenades (small hand-held bombs), an AK-47 rifle, cocaine and other guns and ammunition were among the weapons recovered by the FIU team from the constable?s home.
Sources say the constable?s brother is a member of the Defence Force and is now on duty in hurricane-battered Grenada.
Investigators said they believed the weapons were either for sale or rent and have pinpointed a link to the June arrests of two members of the Defence Force for possession of ammunition, since the grenades belonged to the army.
Sources said the policeman?s brother was expected to be recalled from Grenada to face questioning by FIU members.
An investigation is also expected to be launched by senior members of the Defence Force after discussions with the FIU.
Army officials declined to comment yesterday.
On June 28, a 23-year-old Defence Force private was granted $140,000 bail while a 26-year-old medic, also attached to the Defence Force, was placed on a $10,000 bond after they appeared before Port-of-Spain and Arima magistrates, respectively.
Following yesterday?s seizure, officers involved in the exercise were commended by Snr Supt Errol Dillon.
The policeman?s house had been under surveillance for three months.
Sources said the exercise was also part of Commissioner of Police Trevor Paul?s crime- fighting plan.
Dillon and ASP Maraj were also part of the exercise.
There have been previous reports of army-issued weapons being found in civilian homes, among them a Galil rifle which was recovered in Arouca.
The weapons
? AK-47 rifle with two magazines
? a sawed-off pump action shotgun
? a Venezuelan manufactured Laredo 12-gauge shotgun
? five hand grenades
? a foil package with cocaine
? 200 rounds of assorted ammunition including 60 rounds of nine mm, 50 rounds of .380, seven rounds of .38 special, 57 rounds of 5.56, 14 rounds of 303, four rounds of semi 7.62 bullets and 37 shotgun cartridges.
