VZCZCXRO3072
RR RUEHGR
DE RUEHSP #1010 2401531
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 281531Z AUG 06
FM AMEMBASSY PORT OF SPAIN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7261
INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS PORT OF SPAIN 001010 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR WHA/CAR, INL/LP 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV SNAR TD
SUBJECT:  MAJOR DRUG BUST IN SOUTHERN T&T 
 
¶1.  On August 23, officers from the Crime Suppression Unit of 
Trinidad and Tobago's Police Force arrested two men for possession 
of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.  The police seized some 
158 kilograms of compressed marijuana, worth approximately USD 
250,000 (TTD 1.5 million), from the passenger area of a maxi taxi 
(local transportation, similar to a mini bus).  The police received 
information that a maxi taxi headed towards Point Fortin, a major 
port city in the south of the country, was transporting two bags of 
marijuana.  When the police responded and pulled the maxi taxi over, 
they found the marijuana wrapped in one-kilogram packets divided 
among six bags.  The suspects are expected to be officially charged 
on August 25. 
 
¶2.   COMMENT:  One of the main challenges facing the TT Police Force 
is getting information from witnesses.  It seems that, in this case, 
a concerned citizen stepped forward to provide information on which 
the police acted.  This is an encouraging development, which we cite 
as further proof that anonymous hotlines (such as Crime Stoppers, or 
the "555" number recently introduced by the Ministry of National 
Security) are proving effective in helping to reduce crime in the 
country.  END COMMENT. 
 
 
SWEENEY