PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Police Commissioner, Allister Guevarro, is urging the public of Trinidad an Tobago to support the police as the country continues to be under state of emergency (SoE) after police said last week that they had received intelligence reports “whereby organised criminal gangs with persons inside of the prisons and persons operating on the outside of the prisons have formed themselves into what I would want to term an organised crime syndicate”.
In a statement, Guevarro wanted to “inform the citizens that the TTPS (Trinidad and Tobago Police Service) is using the integration of covert operations and strategic intelligence, which will fundamentally shift the dimensions of this State of Emergency, from the traditional reactive enforcement to proactive disruption.
“This is not just policing; it’s precision-guided intervention. But these gains are only sustainable through partnership,” he said, adding, “I am urging every citizen of Trinidad and Tobago to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with law enforcement during this critical juncture.
“Let us reject the noise of naysayers and keyboard warriors, individuals who flood mainstream and social media with unsolicited commentary, yet lack any credible policing experience. Most have never arrested a suspect, laid a charge, or faced the sobering accountability of a courtroom.”
Guevarro said that this “moment demands unity, not distraction,” adding “when we support our officers and amplify the truth over speculation, we strengthen our communities and reaffirm our collective commitment to safety and progress”.
Police said that they have so far made 56 arrests and seized six illegal firearms and 33 rounds of ammunition during the first 24 hours of the SoE, noting that officers carried out 104 operations across multiple divisions, targeting organised criminal and gang-related activity.
In the process, they conducted 629 searches and recorded 407 traffic offences from strategic roadblock operations.
Meanwhile, the police said they have observed with growing concern “a troubling trend emerging on social media platforms,” where several advertisements are being circulated that falsely portray themselves as legitimate investment opportunities, often promising unusually high and rapid returns on small cash investments.
The TTPS’ White Collar Crime Division said in a recent instance, “an advertisement with a photograph of the Minister of Finance, ‘Davendranath Tancoo’ claiming that an individual could receive thousands of dollars within 48 hours from an initial investment of just TT$100 (One TT dollar=US$0.37cents).
“This information is false. Additionally, the name of the company mentioned is also incorrect.
The TTPS strongly advises members of the public to exercise caution and vigilance. Do not be misled by these deceptive schemes that promise unrealistic, overnight financial gains. “Protect your hard-earned money by investing only through credible, registered, and regulated financial institutions. If you encounter or suspect such fraudulent activity, please report it to the TTPS immediately.”
and then 