Secondary school student arrested on drugs and weapon-related charges in Trinidad

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – The police in Trinidad on Tuesday said that a 16-year-old secondary school student is due to appear in a magistrate's court on Wednesday after he was detained and discovered with cannabis and a concealed weapon in his possession.

The police said that the form-four student was detained after a police officer was conducting a routine foot patrol on the compound of the secondary school when he observed a student acting suspiciously.

“The behaviour aroused the officer’s concern, and he alerted the school’s safety officer and principal, requesting their presence as he carried out a search. While escorting the student to the principal’s office to conduct the search in a private setting, the officer noticed the student handing a rag to another pupil.

“The officer immediately intervened, retrieved the rag, and, upon checking it in the presence of the principal and safety officer, found a translucent plastic bag containing 15 packets of cannabis. The substance was later weighed in their presence and amounted to 10 grams.”

The police said that a further search of the student revealed a concealed dangerous weapon, a pocketknife, approximately four inches in length.

The police said that the student was taken to the Sangre Grande Police Station, where his mother later arrived.

The police said that charges are expected to be laid against the minor on Tuesday, with a court appearance scheduled for Wednesday.

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