416kg Cocaine Found in Backhoe Tyres at Trinidad Warehouse, Three Detained

Trinidad police seized over 416kg of cocaine worth US$28.6m hidden inside backhoe tyres at a Longdenville warehouse. A British Virgin Islands businessman and two Saint Lucians were arrested.

Cocaine worth US$28.6m uncovered in Longdenville warehouse raid

Trinidad and Tobago police have discovered 416.5 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed inside backhoe tyres at a warehouse along Pokhor Road, Longdenville, the Jamaica Observer reports. The drugs carry an estimated street value of TT$193.5 million, equivalent to approximately US$28.6 million.

The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) said officers conducted an intelligence-led operation between Wednesday and Thursday in the Longdenville Police District, initially targeting suspected illegal firearms and narcotics at the premises.

During searches of a residence, warehouse and surrounding compound — carried out under Section 12 of the Emergency Powers Regulations 2026 — officers located six large backhoe tyres mounted on rims inside the warehouse. A closer inspection of four of those tyres revealed rectangular packages hidden within. In total, 420 packages were recovered.

Three individuals were taken into custody following the operation. A 42-year-old businessman from the British Virgin Islands was arrested, along with two Saint Lucian nationals aged 38 and 37.

The seized cocaine was transferred to the Special Investigations Unit in Port of Spain. The three detained persons were brought to the St Joseph Police Station pending further enquiries.

The TTPS confirmed that investigations are continuing.

Source: Jamaica Observer