TEN individuals have been named in preventive detention orders (PDOs) published on Thursday afternoon, resulting in the detention of multiple individuals identified as being involved in organised criminal activity.
The detainees were linked to organised crime groups operating in areas including Port of Spain, East Dry River, St Joseph, Caparo, Siparia, Penal and La Romaine. The activities outlined in the orders included murders, shootings, armed robberies, extortion, narcotics trafficking, firearm distribution, motor vehicle larceny and gang-related violence.
All ten PDOs were signed by the Minister of Homeland Security, Roger Alexander, in accordance with Paragraph 2 of the Schedule to the Emergency Powers Regulations of 2026.
The orders were issued pursuant to regulation 14 of the Regulations, which facilitates ‘preventative detentions’ where it is necessary to prevent persons from acting in a manner prejudicial to public safety based on intelligence received.
The PDOs, numbered 248 to 257, were published on April 16 but were signed between March 18 and April 25 by Alexander. They necessitate the detention of multiple individuals assessed to be involved in organised criminal activity. They are all expected to be held at the Eastern Correctional Rehabilitation Centre in Arima, with the exception of one woman who will be held at the Women’s Prison in Arouca.
The named individuals in the PDOs are Seon Lopez, Roddy Raymond, Ezekiel Lewis, Robinson Narcis, Lester Hall, Derron Forbes, Dominique Cumberbatch, Kershon Benjamin, Malik Charles and Menelik Charles.
Malik Charles was identified as a senior figure of an organised criminal group operating in the Siparia district. Kershon Benjamin, also called ‘Danger’, was identified as an enforcer within an organised criminal group.
One woman, Dominique Cumberbatch, was identified as having access to firearms and, along with others, intends to imminently escalate armed attacks and robberies and distribution of illegal firearms Other detainees were identified as members or active participants in organised criminal groups. Seon Lopez was identified as a member of the 9 Gang. Roddy Raymond was identified as a member of the 6 Gang. Ezekiel Lewis, also called ‘Pa Boy’, was linked to a group involved in violent home invasions targeting elderly persons.
Robinson Narcis, also called ‘Robbie Narcis’, ‘Robbie’ or ‘R-Man’, and Lester Hall, also called ‘Towie’ or ‘Tall Man’, were identified as members of a group engaged in extortion, coercion and planned armed attacks on a public business establishment.
Derron Forbes, Dominique Cumberbatch, Kershon Benjamin, Malik Charles and Menelik Charles were all identified as members of an organised criminal group operating in the Siparia district and linked to armed robberies and motor vehicle larceny.
Authorities stated that the detainees were assessed as posing an immediate threat to public safety, with intelligence indicating plans to escalate armed attacks, robberies and retaliatory violence.
