An officer of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) is expected to appear in court on Monday, charged with misbehaviour in public office related to tampering with drug evidence.
According to a statement from the TTPS on Saturday, the probe was initiated after a discrepancy was discovered in narcotics exhibits lodged at the Barataria Police Station, following a successful anti-narcotics operation conducted in the Macoya Industrial Area. The original seizure resulted in the arrest of three individuals and the recovery of 89 packets of suspected cannabis.
When inconsistencies were later discovered in the exhibit count, Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro ordered a full investigation. The Professional Standards Bureau (PSB) launched a probe, which officials said revealed a deliberate attempt to tamper with evidence and led to the identification of the suspect officer.
Commissioner Guevarro said corruption would not be tolerated within the ranks of the service.
‘Corruption will find no shelter in this organisation,’ he declared. ‘I will continue to stand firmly behind the thousands of officers who serve with honour, but I will go all out to remove those who seek to stain our noble occupation. Integrity is not something that can be taken; it is something you choose to give away. And when you do, you also give up your place among us.’
He added that the police badge is not a shield for dishonour, but a symbol of trust that must be earned daily through integrity and service.
‘To those who believe they can exploit their position for personal gain, let this serve as notice that we are watching, we are acting, and we are not afraid to clean our own house,’ the top cop cautioned.
‘To those who believe they can exploit their position for personal gain, let this serve as notice that we are watching, we are acting, and we are not afraid to clean our own house.’
The Commissioner commended the officers who carried out the original seizure and the PSB investigators for their diligence, saying their actions uphold the reputation of honest officers throughout the TTPS.