Intel showed gangs uniting to kill, rob, kidnap – SoE called to avert bloodshed

JOEY BARTLETT AND GREGORY Mc BURNIE

INTELLIGENCE that leaders of major criminal gangs – some of them incarcerated – were uniting and plotting to murder key figures in the Judiciary and arms of National Security, as well as engage in terrorising the public through murders, kidnappings and robberies, has prompted government to institute a state of emergency (SoE) to avert bloodshed and instability.

Under grey skies and a heavy downpour, the nation awoke on July 18 to the shocking news that the country was in a SoE.

Confirmation of this came from Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro who convened a press conference at Police Administration Building, Port of Spain flanked by members of the TTPS executive including deputy commissioners Junior Benjamin, Suzette Martin and Natasha George.

Both Guevarro and Benjamin wore the TTPS' tactical attire while the police commissioner sported the Punisher logo – a white skull with elongated teeth on a black background – worn by some law-enforcement and military agencies around the world as a sign of defiance and focused intent to deal with wrongdoers and criminals.

Guevarro said once the SoE was legally constituted via Presidential proclamation at 12.02 am, he and his officers had "hit the ground running."

"At 12.05 am, my men already started both covert and overt operations throughout the country." He said this was to eliminate any head start or opportunity to flee, that criminals may have tried to gain once news of the SoE broke.

“Even whilst I was approaching the Prime Minister and Attorney General to take action, I was hopeful and placed things in position to act immediately. This is not an SoE of reaction, this is an SoE with proaction,” Guevarro declared.

He said law-abiding citizens had nothing to fear as their daily lives will not be affected to any large extent as there will be no curfew.

“I want the good citizens of TT to be able to continue to enjoy their lifestyle without facing any undue sort of strain on them with regards to how they live. We love to party and we love to socialise and all of that. So I would love to see TT continue.

“The people who have to be concerned are the criminals, because this is what that particular SoE and the emergency powers are geared to and aimed at targeting. So all good citizens have no reason to fear.”

The SoE came three months after the last on which began on December 31 and ended on April 13. Guevarro denied any links between both SoEs.

“Let me be pellucidly clear – the last SoE was held to deal with gang violence. This particular SoE is being held to deal with a particular threat…It involves people who are forming themselves into an organised syndicate. I want to make that absolutely clear, this has nothing to do with gang violence.”

He explained that this SoE was the culmination of piecing together months of intelligence.

“Over a period of a couple of months, bits and pieces of intelligence data came to bear. However, yesterday (July 17), a particular intelligence report came to my attention that had to be brought immediately before the National Security Council.

“So even though there were existing reports within the sphere of the intelligence data, yesterday's report was, as you say, the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back,” Guevarro said.

Police sources indicated that Commissioner Guevarro led a heavily-armed team of police officers to the Golden Grove prisons in Arouca where a number of "high-risk" prisoners – all said to be either members of gangs or leaders of gangs – were arrested and removed to a secret location.

AG REVEALS PLOT

At a press conference at 12.45 pm, at his office, Attorney General John Jeremie, SC, provided further details of the circumstances which led to the calling of a state of emergency.

He cited current homicide figures – 213 as of July 18 – and a troubling “resurgence” in kidnappings and gang-related violence, as a cause for major concern. He emphasised that government had been closely monitoring a number of disturbing trends.

Asked whether he believed his life was under threat, the AG said, "I’m not bothered by things like that." Well-placed police sources told Newsday that the security of several State officials have been increased, including by the provisions of bulletproof vehicles.

Addressing public concerns over civil liberties and potential government overreach – similar to the 2011 SoE, which drew criticism for mass detentions some of which ended in lawsuits against the State – Jeremie said he was not the attorney general in 2011 but added the government had “learnt from past missteps.”

Attempting to reassure the public that law and order was being maintained, Jeremie said, “The fact that I’m here speaking to you and half (of) the building hasn’t been destroyed by a rocket launcher tells you we’ve disrupted a plan. This is not about politics. This is about verified threats and immediate action.”

Citing intelligence that prompted the SoE, Jeremie said there has been an uptick in kidnappings, extortion and abductions for ransom, most believed to be gang-related.

He also referenced the murder of attorney in the DPP's Office, Randall Hector, who was gunned down in front of his wife and children after they attended church service on December 31. That murder, Jeremie said, is believed to be connected to a specific illegal firearm.

“We said we would take decisive action against illegal firearms, and that is exactly what we are doing. Enough is enough!”

Jeremie said the authorities uncovered a credible plot orchestrated from inside the prison system, to carry out violent attacks on civilians, State officials, members of the judiciary, and protective services personnel. State facilities were also to be targeted.

“In light of credible intelligence reports, the government determined immediate action was necessary to contain, disrupt and neutralise these threats. The only responsible course of action was to empower the police to respond with the full authority of the law,” Jeremie said.

He added that President Christine Kangaloo signed the SoE order shortly after midnight and by 6 am, police had already begun detaining and interrogating known gang members suspected of involvement in the plot.

“We are determined to eradicate this cancer from our society.” He said the SoE would allow for targeted, intelligence-driven interventions against criminal networks and described it as the first phase of a broader, multi-pronged national strategy to combat violent crime.

While acknowledging the measures may inconvenience the public, Jeremie appealed for understanding and support.

“Every effort has been made to minimise disruption. But given the grave and imminent threat revealed by intelligence, particularly the foiled plot to attack state officials and facilities, the government had no choice but to act swiftly and decisively.”

JEREMIE: SoE

JUSTIFIED

Responding to questions, Jeremie defended Government’s decision to declare the SoE, reiterating the dramatic escalation in gang-related violence and credible threats to public safety including against those in the judiciary.

“This was not a decision made lightly. The intelligence we received left us with no choice but to act quickly.”

He clarified the SoE was not prompted by any single event but rather mounting intelligence gathered over time. The emergency measures are initially set for 15 days. Asked about a possible extension, Jeremie said it would remain in effect “as long as security forces need it.”

He also addressed questions about the absence of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, saying she had been in continuous co-ordination with national security forces throughout the night and had not slept in over 24 hours.

Jeremie dismissed accusations that the SoE was a political manoeuvre, contrasting the current situation with the 2024 declaration which he described as “triggered by nothing substantial. This time, we have serious, actionable intelligence,” he said.

On December 30, then-prime minister Keith Rowley’s administration declared a SoE, a move harshly criticised by then-opposition leader Persad-Bissessar, who labelled it a political stunt rather than a genuine effort to fight crime.

At that time, she accused the government of ignoring her call in January 2024 for a SoE, one she believed could have saved lives. Persad-Bissessar characterised the move as a last-ditch attempt by a desperate government to appear proactive especially in the run up to a general election.

On Friday, Jeremie declined to share operational details but confirmed intelligence pointed to a highly organised group planning co-ordinated attacks on both civilians and public institutions.

Asked about whether the crackdown includes operations targeting gang activity in prisons, Jeremie said those plans were classified but acknowledged gangs have established operations from within jail cells.

Jeremie said only vetted and trusted units in the TTPS are involved in the crackdown and steps are being taken to address internal corruption in the Prison Service, though he declined to specify those steps.

Asked whether the intelligence operation was conducted in collaboration with international agencies, Jeremie confirmed the administration maintains strong ties with international partners, though he did not name specific countries or entities or say if any played a direct role.