In a landmark enforcement action, Trinidad and Tobago’s Counter Trafficking Unit (CTU) has secured its first Preventive Detention Order following a sophisticated international operation coordinated with Interpol. The operation, codenamed ‘Operation Purple Ryain,’ culminated in the arrest of a 42-year-old businessman and the liberation of four Venezuelan females from severe exploitation conditions.
The breakthrough occurred on March 7th in Rio Claro, where CTU officers executed a search warrant at a Fraser Street property after weeks of intelligence-driven surveillance. The suspect, identified as Ryan Mark, was apprehended under the Emergency Powers Regulations of 2026 and remains in custody under the unprecedented detention order.
Among those rescued were two teenagers aged 15 and 17, along with two adult women aged 27 and 30—the latter being the mother of the younger teenager. Preliminary investigations revealed disturbing evidence of prolonged physical abuse, including visible branding and violence marks, with some victims reportedly confined at the location for over two years.
The operation also led to two Venezuelan nationals being held as persons of interest at the Immigration Detention Centre, while four others were transferred to Immigration Enforcement authorities.
CTU Deputy Director Dane-Marie Marshall characterized the operation as ‘an international coordination’ that demonstrated the unit’s commitment to crippling human trafficking networks. ‘This is a good day. Four people being rescued in one operation is a fantastic day,’ Marshall stated, emphasizing the unit’s dedication to ending human trafficking in Trinidadian society.
The rescued survivors are currently receiving comprehensive support through the CTU’s victim assistance framework, including medical treatment, psychosocial services, and protective measures. The operation involved collaborative efforts between the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force and the Police Service’s Special Investigations Unit.
Authorities indicate that charges under the Trafficking in Persons Act are imminent, with further legal actions expected as investigations progress. The CTU has renewed its call for public vigilance, urging citizens to report suspected trafficking cases through their dedicated hotline and WhatsApp reporting channels.