National Security Minister issues first SoE detention order

THE first detention order under the Emergency Powers Regulations 2024 has been made.

A gazetted legal notice on January 12, signed by National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds, said a detention order was issued for Shumba James, 34, of Simon Trace, St Mary Village, Moruga.

The order, dated January 12, 2025, was published as Legal Notice No 10 in the Trinidad and Tobago Gazette.

According to the order, James has been identified as a credible suspect in various illegal activities, including planning targeted killings of individuals assisting the police in their investigations.

The detention is deemed necessary to prevent James from acting in a manner prejudicial to public safety and order.

James is to be detained at the Eastern Correctional Rehabilitation Centre, Santa Rosa, Arima, or any other location as directed by the minister.

The detention was authorised under paragraph 2 of the Schedule to the Emergency Powers Regulations, 2024, which grants the minister power to detain individuals without warrant for preventive purposes.

Hinds justified the detention by citing concerns for public safety and the need to maintain order.

A state of emergency (SoE) was declared on December 30, and since then a review tribunal has been established to review the cases of detained individuals. Guidelines set by the tribunal were gazetted on January 9, and outline the rights of detainees and the processes for reviewing detention cases.

The tribunal’s chairman is Deborah Peake, SC, and its members are Ian Benjamin, SC, and Lee Merry, SC.

Legal Notice 1 of 2025, signed by Hinds on January 2, was also gazetted and sets out the directions for detentions under the emergency regulations.

The directions identified the designated detention centres, which include: Carrera Convict Prison; Women’s Prison and Remand Prison at Golden Grove; and the Eastern Correctional Rehabilitation Centre.

At a police media briefing on January 10, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Junior Benjamin said almost 600 priority offenders had been targeted and at least 500 individuals arrested.

The Prison Officers’ Association (POA) has expressed concerns over the designation of two of the four prisons designated as detention centres for those held under the SoE regulations. It says the Carrera Convict Prison and the Remand Prison in Golden Grove are not suitable detention centres.

James was acquitted of a robbery with violence charge in 2023.

He was also a prosecution witness against six policemen charged with the murders of Abigail Johnson, 23; Alana Duncan, 28; and Kerron “Fingers” Eccles, 26, on the night of July 22, 2011, on Rochard Douglas Road.

James was Duncan’s husband at the time and was said to be the policemen's target.

The officers were eventually acquitted by a jury, also in 2023.

In August 2024, James told TV6 News he did not have a hand in the murder of five-year-old Anika Guerra and her father, Enrico Guerra.

The shootings happened at Guerra’s business place, Enrico’s Corner Mart, at Poui Road Junction, St Mary’s Village