416kg Cocaine Found in Backhoe Tyres: BVI Man, Two St Lucians Held in Trinidad

Three men — a BVI businessman and two St Lucians — were arrested in Longdenville after police discovered 416.5kg of cocaine hidden inside backhoe tyres.

Three men arrested after 416kg cocaine find inside warehouse tyres in Longdenville

Officers discovered 416.5 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed inside backhoe tyres at a warehouse along Pokhor Road in Longdenville, Trinidad and Tobago — leading to the arrest of a British Virgin Islands businessman and two Saint Lucian nationals, the Jamaica Observer reports.

The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) said the operation began at 3:40 am on Wednesday, September 2 and concluded at 3:30 am the following day. The three men — a 42-year-old BVI businessman and two Saint Lucians aged 38 and 37 — were detained during an intelligence-led exercise in the Longdenville Police District. Their names have not been released.

Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police Kerwin Francis of the Criminal Division coordinated the operation, with Acting Assistant Superintendent St Clair providing operational leadership on the ground.

Officers were acting under Section 12 of Trinidad and Tobago's Emergency Powers Regulations 2026 when they searched a residence, warehouse and surrounding compound for illegal firearms, narcotics and other prohibited items.

Inside the warehouse, officers found six large backhoe tyres mounted on rims. Closer examination of four of those tyres revealed rectangular packages hidden within them. In total, police recovered 420 packages, which Customs and Excise officers assisted in weighing. The combined weight came to approximately 416.5 kilogrammes, with an estimated street value of TT$193,522,560 — roughly TT$193.5 million, at an exchange rate of one TT dollar to US$0.16.

The BVI businessman was arrested on suspicion of offences connected to the seizure. Police did not disclose the nature of his business or the specifics of his alleged connection to the premises or the drugs.

The Central Division Crime Scene Investigations Unit processed the scene. The seized packages were transported to the Special Investigations Unit in Port of Spain, while the three detained men were taken to St Joseph Police Station pending further enquiries.

Source: Jamaica Observer