Senior Reporter

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Reports of a raid at the Belmont Police Station on Monday, where several firearms and a quantity of narcotics were reportedly discovered, have been denied as fake news by senior officials within the T&T Police Service (TTPS).

According to Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Richard Smith, there was no such exercise.

He categorically refuted claims that officers from the Professional Standards Bureau (PSB) visited the station and arrested any officers.

In addition, he said there was no truth to allegations that a corporal attached to the station had fled the country after being told a Preventive Detention Order (PDO) had been issued for him.

He said no officers’ homes had been searched, nor was any police officer currently detained.

Smith said the information circulating yesterday that seven pistols, two Uzis, a shotgun and a quantity of narcotics had been found – and were being linked to inappropriate conduct by officers – were in fact, inaccurate and erroneous.

He told Guardian Media, “We have no police officer in custody in relation to any search at the Belmont Police Station.”

Smith confirmed the corporal in question had “applied for leave sometime ago and was due to leave the country on legitimate leave.”

He insisted the planned absence of the officer was not as a result of any “bacchanal leave where he is running from anything.”

Smith assured the TTPS was not about covering up wrongdoing by anyone and promised that once any corrupt practices are discovered, those responsible would be held to account.