Venezuela cracks human-trafficking ring linked to TT

The Attorney General of Venezuela, Tarek William Saab, reported on Monday that the Venezuelan authorities had managed to dismantle a human-trafficking network for sexual exploitation connected with TT.

At a press conference in Caracas, Saab reported that ten people had been held.

He said the investigation was initiated when a mother complained that her daughter had run away with other young people to be taken to TT to work as a prostitute.

Saab said: “The young woman called her mother and informed her that she no longer wanted to go to Trinidad, but that she was not allowed to return."He said the phone call was traced and the young women were located in Tucupita, Delta Amacuro state.

He reported that three young women and seven adults were rescued. Eight people were detained, and another two who were implicated were arrested – one in Lara State and the other in La Guaira.

One of the detainees was in charge of co-ordinating the logistics of capturing and transporting the victims.

Saab said the alleged ringleaders of the scheme were in TT, and the Venezuelan government was awaiting the "co-operation of the Trinidadian authorities for their capture and extradition."

The detainees will be charged with trafficking in persons and criminal association.

Contacted for comment, National Security Minister Stuart Young said while he was not aware of the incident, TT's authorities would continue to do their part in fighting human trafficking.

"I am on record as saying that human trafficking and human smuggling is taking place between Venezuela and TT.

"We are targeting these illegal activities and will continue to do so."