Commissioner of Police, Gary Griffith, says the TTPS will intensify patrols/roadblocks beginning tonight (Monday 2nd August 2021), as he has noticed an increase in vehicular traffic two (2) hours prior to the start of the daily 9pm curfew.

In a Media Release on Monday, the CoP says the roads had become congested and as the time draws closer for the start of the curfew, motorists become anxious and "we have seen a pattern of dangerous driving on the roads as they try to reach their destination."

At a Press Conference on 14th June 2021, Commissioner Griffith pointed out the reckless behaviour of motorists. Six (6) weeks later, he says nothing has changed for some as there continues to be dangerous driving, as some drivers were caught driving under the influence.

"It’s a dangerous situation out there as such behaviour puts the lives of the errant drivers and other motorists at risk. The Highway has become a race track just before the start of the curfew, so we will have to peg back that behaviour with the increase in patrols and roadblocks."

The CoP says since the start of the State of Emergency and the curfew, Police Officers have encountered persons racing to get home with all sorts of excuses. Most prevalent, according to the CoP, is the consumption of alcohol over the prescribed limit. A number of persons have been charged and are before the Courts for this, the CoP added.

Commissioner Griffith added, "With immediate effect, we intend to intensify our policing three hours before the start of the curfew. We will have many roadblocks, we'll be doing DUI testing and we'll be doing speed testing as well to put an end to the irresponsible behaviour of some trying to get home and sometimes, even being intoxicated."

The CoP says criminals also use this period to increase their activities. This too, will be pegged back, he added.

A total of forty-three (43) persons were arrested and charged for breach of curfew over the last twenty-four (24) hours and forty-seven (47) persons were ticketed for failing to wear a face mask.

The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) provided the public with an update on Monday (2nd August 2021) regarding COVID-19, the Public Health Regulations, and curfew for the State of Emergency. A total of 1,147 persons have been arrested for breaching the curfew since the State of Emergency came into effect on Sunday 16th May 2021.

Below is the update as of Monday 2nd August 2021:

• Breach of Curfew Arrests (Last 24 Hrs): 43
• Breach of Curfew Arrests (Total): 1,147

• Face Mask Tickets Issued (Last 24 Hrs): 47
• Face Mask Tickets Issued (Total): 14,904

• Breach of Public Health Regulations Arrests (Last 24 Hrs): 27
• Breach of Public Health Regulations Arrests (Total): 1,295

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• No. of Patrols (Last 24 Hrs): 391
• ​No. of Road Blocks (Last 24 Hrs): 79

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• No. of Police Officers Testing Positive For COVID-19 At Present: 84
• No. of Police Officers Quarantined At Present: 274

Narcotics with a street value close to $65 Million were seized and three (3) persons were arrested by Officers of the South-Western Division during an anti-crime exercise conducted in Quinam yesterday (Sunday 1st August 2021).

According to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), Officers of the South-Western Division Criminal Investigations Department and the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force, intercepted a Nissan Prairie motor vehicle with three (3) occupants at the Quinam Beach Facility around 5:30pm on Sunday.

A search of the vehicle resulted in Officers finding five (5) crocus bags containing 109 Kilogrammes of marijuana and thirty-four (34) packets of cocaine which weighed 39 Kilogrammes. The drugs have an estimated street value of $64,775,823.20.

The three (3) suspects were arrested and taken into custody. Corporal Carter of the Siparia CID is continuing investigations. Charges are expected to be laid shortly.

Investigations are ongoing.

Eighteen (18) persons have been arrested in Arima after they attempted to flee from a ‘curfew party’ when Officers arrived on the scene. They will be charged with breach of the Public Health Regulations and the State of Emergency Powers.

According to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), at approximately 11:35pm on Saturday night (31st July 2021), while on an Operation Strike Back 3 exercise, a team of Officers consisting of the Northern Division Task Force (NDTF), NDTF-Area East Operations Unit, NDTF Intel, Malabar Police Station, and the La Horquetta CID, with the Canine Unit and the Trinidad and Tobago Air Guard, received a report of a large gathering at Kelly Street, Peytonville, Arima.

On the arrival at the location, the team found several persons fleeing the scene. However, eighteen (18) persons were detained by the Officers. The detainees ranged in ages from twenty (20) to forty-six (46) and were primarily from the Peytonville area, with others from Wallerfield Road, Arima, Tamana, D’Abadie, and Carapo. Investigations are still ongoing regarding the nature of the gathering. Persons arrested are expected to be charged via summons.

The operation was spearheaded by ACP Andy Belfon and Snr. Supt. Renzy Ramdeen and co-ordinated by W/ASP Powder and Insp. Pitt, with supervision from Sgt. Caldon and Cpl. (Ag.) Durity.

A Gasparillo businessman was robbed of $151,870 in cash during a robbery on Saturday (31st July 2021). Two (2) men and a woman have been arrested in connection with the incident.

According to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), around 6:10pm, the victim retrieved the sum of money from an associated establishment in the Freeport area and was headed South along the Sir Solomon Hochoy Highway in his black Hyundai Tucson. In the vicinity of the Ato Bolden Stadium, a red Nissan Note swerved, causing both vehicles to collide. The drivers pulled onto the shoulder.


The driver of the Note allegedly exited the vehicle with three (3) additional suspects, pointed a firearm at the businessman and announced a robbery. The businessman was relieved of the cash following which the men escaped in the Note.

Officers attached to the Central Division Task Force – Area South (CDTF), Freeport and Couva Criminal Investigation Departments (CID), conducted exercises in the Waterloo Road area, where two (2) men, ages 39 and 40 and one (1) woman, 36, were arrested.

A quantity of TT currency was also retrieved.

Enquiries are ongoing.

A 24-year old man from Diego Martin was shot and wounded during a confrontation with Police. According to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), Police Officers were on mobile patrol around 6:30pm on Thursday (29th July 2021) when, based on information received, they proceeded to a house at Union Road, Four Roads.

They observed several men drinking in the yard who, upon seeing the Officers, began to run in different directions. One of the men was walking hastily in the opposite direction when one of the Officers shouted for him to stop and held his shoulder. The suspect pulled away aggressively, turned to face the Officer, raised his shirt, and allegedly pulled a firearm from his waist.

The TTPS notes that the Officer, “believing his life and that of his fellow Officers were in danger, discharged four (4) rounds from his service firearm in the direction of the man.” The man fell to the ground with gunshot wounds to his abdomen. A Glock 17 pistol with a magazine was allegedly retrieved from him.

The wounded man was taken to the St. James Medical Complex where he was treated and transferred to the Port-of-Spain General Hospital. He is currently under observation in critical condition.