Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has disclosed that as the United States continues to play a role in assisting Trinidad and Tobago, this country will be getting more vessels and military personnel to protect its borders.
She noted yesterday that, contrary to what existed under the former People’s National Movement (PNM) administration, the country’s borders were secure, more Coast Guard vessels were operating daily, and the radar system was functional.
“The reports are pointing to a decrease in drugs flowing into the country from South America but it is still continuing through coastal areas in South, Southwest and Central (Trinidad). The Caroni to Marabella coastline continues to be a problem, especially areas covered by mangroves and squatter communities. The coastal squatter communities are heavily infiltrated by criminals and gangs,” she said in response to questions from the Express by phone.
She added, “We will be getting some additional vessels from the US in the coming months. The American military and intelligence agencies are also increasing their presence in Trinidad to assist our crime-fighting initiatives,”
Persad-Bissessar also disclosed that there are currently US Navy SEAL team members in the country handling logistics for a larger deployment of SEAL teams to Trinidad and Tobago.
The SEALs—an acronym for sea, air and land—are the Navy’s most well-known special operations force, according to the US Department of War.
They will work to provide support and training to the Coast Guard and Defence Force for border protection, drug interdiction and internal security, she stated.
The Prime Minister said as head of the National Security Council, she receives regular reports and the data has shown that serious crimes are down.
“The TTPS has disrupted gang activity across divisions. However, the country continues to be plagued by petty crime, financial fraud cases and domestic violence issues. There has been an increase in the petty crimes being committed by average citizens not aligned to gangs. The society has been allowed to devolve to the point of lawlessness where some normally law-abiding citizens are willing to take a chance to commit petty crimes because they have seen others doing it for years with no consequences,” she said.
‘A’ grade for Guevarro
Persad-Bissessar also gave Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro a grade “A” rating for his performance over his first year in charge of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.
“The Commissioner has performed very well. ‘A’ grade,” she said in response to questions from the Express by phone.
Persad-Bissessar said T&T could expect more investment in the Government’s holistic approach to crime reduction.
The Prime Minister said the TTPS has been disrupting gang activity over the last year, but it will take more time to dismantle gangs that have become entrenched within communities.
She emphasised the support of the United States to Trinidad and Tobago, especially as it relates to intelligence sharing.
“US intelligence agencies have identified certain individuals, businesses and banking personnel who have been involved in moving large amounts of US dollars out of the country over the years who are linked to drug trafficking and money laundering for cartels. They have begun taking action against these persons and entities by restricting their access to American territory and financial institutions. They are also assisting us with security-physical and digital security upgrades for our airports and seaports to increase security,” she said.
Persad-Bissessar said the former government failed to seek international assistance that was available.
“All of this US assistance was on the table for the last PNM administration but was never taken up. They preferred to leave the borders and airports open for traffickers to flood the country with illegal drugs and weapons,” she said.
The Prime Minister noted that on the legislative side, a number of key pieces of legislation have been implemented and more measures are to come.
Further, she said in addition to boosting the national security apparatus, there will be more boots on the ground.
“We are actively recruiting persons to fully staff and eventually expand the Inland Revenue division which was previously operating at 25% staffing and are upgrading the gentax software and hardware. This will help the State to increase vigilance against white-collar criminals and the businesses behind drug trafficking, financial crimes and gang activity,” she said.
The Prime Minister is currently in the United States where she attended the funeral of her brother-in-law Michael L Ahamad yesterday.
She is expected to return to the country tomorrow.
Minister of Works and Infrastructure Jearlean John is acting Prime Minister in Persad-Bissessar’s absence.
