Thirty-five sheep and seven goats illegally brought into Trinidad and Tobago were euthanised after veterinary officials determined the animals were infected with a communicable disease following a multi-agency operation in Cedros.
The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) said the operation took place around 8.30 am on Sunday, when officers conducted surveillance along the Cedros/Icacos coastline after receiving information.
The exercise involved TTPS officers led by Snr Supt Thompson and Supt Jaggernauth, under the supervision of ASP Corrie, ASP Forbes, Insp Prescott and Insp Sirju, along with officers of the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard led by Petty Officer Seecharan.
During the operation, officers observed a vessel hastily leaving the area and later intercepted a wheel tractor emerging from a forested area near the shoreline with a trailer carrying livestock.
The tractor and trailer were escorted to the Cedros Police Station, where officers counted 35 sheep and seven goats.
A coordinated response involving several TTPS units and the Ministry of Agriculture’s Veterinary Services Division was activated. The animals were examined by the Chief Veterinary Officer for St Patrick, who determined they were suffering from an infectious disease.
In keeping with national biosecurity protocols, the animals were humanely euthanised between May 17 and May 18.
Two people are assisting investigators.
Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro warned that illegal livestock importation poses risks to national food security, public health and the livelihoods of farmers.
He said smuggling animals into the country could expose Trinidad and Tobago to highly contagious livestock diseases, zoonotic infections, unsafe and unregulated meat entering the market and serious breaches of national biosecurity.
Police are urging citizens, particularly those in coastal communities, to report suspicious maritime activity, unusual livestock movements near beaches or forested coastal areas, or attempts to sell undocumented animals.
