The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service says investigations into a cargo aircraft at Piarco International Airport have found that no laws were breached by the aircraft or its operators.
See full statement below….
The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) advises the national community that following further enquiries and consultations with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the irregularities initially detected in relation to a cargo aircraft at the Piarco International Airport, determined that no breach of the laws of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago was committed in relation to the aircraft or its operators.
As a result, and upon completion of the necessary local and international verifications, the aircraft and its crew were cleared to depart Trinidad and Tobago and have since resumed their scheduled journey.
However, the TTPS confirms that this incident has triggered a separate and active national security investigation into the local chain of events that allowed an aircraft transporting volatile cargo to land in Trinidad and Tobago without the required prior authorization, thereby prompting the national security response under the current State of Emergency.
In speaking about the incident, Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro praised all of the agencies involved and stated, “This incident has again demonstrated the positive results that can occur when we have that extraordinary level of interagency cooperation which is required in matters involving international transit, sensitive cargo, and cross‑border coordination.”
The Commissioner then acknowledged the coordinated efforts of the units involved in the investigation which included:
• United States Customs and Border Protection
• Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU)
• Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force
• Customs & Excise Division
• Airports Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (AATT)
TTPS Units – Special Branch, Special Investigations Unit (SIU), Multi‑Option Police Section (MOPS) and Guard and Emergency Branch (GEB).
Commissioner Guevarro also assured the public that the country’s national security agencies remain fully engaged, vigilant, and aligned in safeguarding the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and assured that further updates will be provided when operationally appropriate.