Trinidad and Tobago government targets alleged wealthy financiers of gangs
Police raids under state of emergency powers have led to arrests in the Syrian/Lebanese community, which the attorney general accuses of links to the opposition PNM.
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago. The United National Congress (UNC) government of Trinidad and Tobago has made clear it is setting its sights on what it describes as wealthy financiers of crime, naming members of the country’s Syrian/Lebanese community as alleged backers of violent offences.
Both in opposition and in government, the UNC has accused the main opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) of protecting wealthy financiers whom law enforcement agencies had allegedly long suspected of funding criminal gangs and engaging in international organised crime.
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said members of this group in the top 1 per cent of society “are all subject to the laws of Trinidad and Tobago and will be treated accordingly by the justice system.” Police raided several high-priced homes in the west of the capital this week and arrested several members of the community, with more arrests promised.
Detention order
Authorities say they are using powers under the latest state of emergency to carry out searches and arrests. In April, Security Minister Roger Alexander signed an order that led to the arrest of Natalie Harford, whom authorities accuse of financing some of the 186 known criminal gangs in the country. She remains in detention two months later.
“The detainee provides cash support to fund the operations of the organized crime group,” Mr Alexander said in documents linked to her detention, alleging the group intended to carry out reprisal attacks in public spaces.
Attorney general’s claims
Attorney General John Jeremie told parliament the government was on solid legal ground. He said the US had already cancelled the entry visas of several members of the group, some of whom had visited his office to complain.
“They funded the PNM. They were revered by the PNM. They have taken over the PNM,” the attorney general said. “If you behave as gang members do you shall be treated in the same way as blue collar gang members are.”
The country has been beset by gang violence in recent years, with murders averaging about 600 a year. Authorities have turned to the US for intelligence assistance, noting that Trinidad lies just seven miles from Venezuela.
