…….Aircraft en route to Libya
By PETER GREEN
Employees and officials at Piarco International Airport were taken by surprise on Thursday night when an Ukraine-registered cargo plane landed.
The aircraft, identified as an Antonov An-12BP operated by Cavok Air, arrived in Trinidad while en route to Libya and stopped to refuel.
According to flight tracking data from Flightradar24.com, the aircraft landed at Piarco International Airport at 6:08 p.m. on Thursday after travelling from Nassau, Bahamas. Records showed it had earlier departed from Houston, Texas, in the United States.
It was reported that members of the five-person European crew told the Piarco authorities that the cargo consisted of industrial explosives. Police officers were subsequently deployed to secure the aircraft while investigations continued into Friday.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) confirmed that a security-related matter involving a cargo aircraft at Piarco International Airport was under active investigation by multiple state agencies.
The TTPS said that, amid the heightened security posture under the ongoing State of Emergency, routine checks identified irregularities requiring immediate precautionary action.
The following is the TTPS release issued on Friday:
“The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) wishes to advise the national community that a security‑related matter involving a cargo aircraft at the Piarco International Airport on Thursday 14th May 2026, is currently engaging the attention of State security agencies.
In keeping with the heightened security posture under the ongoing State of Emergency, routine checks identified irregularities requiring immediate precautionary action. The aircraft was secured, the crew accounted for, and all relevant national security units activated in accordance with established protocols.
At no time was there any threat to the travelling public, airport operations, or the wider national community. The situation remained calm, controlled, and professionally managed.
This matter now forms part of an active, multi‑agency national security investigation. In light of recent intelligence assessments and international security obligations, no further operational details can be released at this time.
The TTPS assures the public that all necessary measures are being taken to safeguard the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Additional information will be provided only when it is safe and appropriate to do so.”
