RALPH BANWARIEPolice officers had to shoot a pit-bull to gain entry to the Valencia home of a T&TEC employee to execute a search warrant on Tuesday.
At the end of the exercise, they seized marijuana and paraphernalia used to process it.
Reports said around 5.20 pm, a party of officers led by Ag Insp Harper went to the home along the Eastern Main Road, Valencia, to search for firearms and ammunition.
When they arrived the gate to the house was locked. The officers reportedly called out to the 44-year-old man for about 10 minutes but got no response. However, they detected movement inside the house.
One officer climb over the gate and opened it for the other officers. However, the officers were charged at by a pit-bull. Several officers were able to take evasive action but WPC Ramsundar and PC Morgan were unable to maneuver themselves out of it way. As such, they drew their guns and shot the dog.
The scene was preserved by some of the officers while others engaged the lone occupant of the dwelling house. She was informed of the warrant to search the premises and it was executed in her presence.
During the search, 11 glass jars and four transparent plastic bags, each containing dried cannabis, was found in a bedroom. Also, two indoor grow houses equipped with foil insulation radiant barriers, UV lights, portable air conditioning units, fans, farming lights and an irrigation system, with a total of 17 cannabis plants, were allegedly found.
The lone occupant was arrested.
The dried cannabis reportedly weighed 1.42kg. PC Morgan, of Valencia Police Post, is continuing enquiries.