An estimated TT$1.6 billion (US$236,036,960) worth of illegal drugs were destroyed by police in Trinidad and Tobago on September 29.

Police said the drugs, which were seized in multiple operations and arrests dating back to 2005, were set on fire at the Caroni Cremation Site in Central Trinidad.

The destroyed narcotics included 3.08 tonnes of cocaine, valued at approximately TT$1.431 billion; 5.22 tonnes of marijuana, valued at approximately TT$156 million; and 4.87 kilograms of ecstasy and heroin, valued at approximately TT$13 million.

Speaking at the destruction exercise, Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro described the day as a landmark one for the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) and the law-abiding citizens of Trinidad and Tobago.

“We want to show accountability and transparency to the public,” he said.

The Commissioner said the destruction meant that fewer narcotics were reaching young people.

“The mere fact that we are able to destroy TT$1.68 billion worth of narcotics here for the world to see means that there are a lot of narcotics that are not making it into the hands of our children. A lot of narcotics that are not being sold to fuel gang violence against our citizens,” Guevarro stated.

He called on the public to continue working with the TTPS to remove illicit drugs from the streets.

“We want the citizenry to continue to partner with the TTPS and law enforcement in getting rid of more narcotics than that.”

Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander echoed the Commissioner’s comments, noting the impact drugs can have on young people.

He called on parents to take up the same effort.

“Narcotics is destroying our community. So…we are destroying narcotics. This is war. We are asking parents now to take that same initiative. Destroy it from coming into your home. Destroy it from coming into your communities,” he said.