PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad — In a meticulously coordinated late-night maritime operation, Trinidadian law enforcement successfully rescued a 73-year-old kidnapping victim just hours after her abduction, dealing a significant blow to organized criminal networks operating in the region.
The dramatic rescue unfolded after Tara Poliah was forcibly taken from her San Juan residence on Don Miguel Road by armed assailants at approximately 7:00 PM local time. The incident triggered an immediate intelligence-driven response involving multiple security agencies.
According to official reports, the breakthrough came when the nation’s advanced radar surveillance system detected suspicious maritime activity. Acting on intelligence from the Radar Centre, security forces intercepted a vessel approximately one nautical mile off the Corozal coast shortly before midnight.
Onboard the intercepted craft, authorities discovered Poliah unharmed alongside eight suspects—six Venezuelan nationals and two Trinidadians. The operation subsequently led to the apprehension of two additional suspects at Tyrico Bay, bringing the total detainees to ten individuals.
Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro highlighted the operation’s success, emphasizing that the rescue demonstrated the effectiveness of inter-agency coordination and intelligence-led policing strategies in combating transnational criminal activities.
The operation leveraged Trinidad and Tobago’s sophisticated coastal surveillance network, an Israeli-made radar system that received a $7.5 million upgrade in 2018. This advanced technology provides comprehensive maritime monitoring capabilities extending as far north as Grenada, playing a crucial role in detecting illegal activities including drug trafficking and human smuggling.
Poliah has since been reunited with her family while investigations into the kidnapping continue. The successful operation marks a significant achievement for Trinidadian authorities in their ongoing efforts to enhance border security and combat organized crime.