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The price of illegal drugs in Trinidad and Tobago (TT) has seen a significant increase due to intensified efforts by both local and US forces to disrupt the narcotics trade. Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro confirmed this development during a media briefing at the Police Administration Building in Port of Spain on November 4. He attributed the price surge to a reduction in the supply of narcotics entering the country, a direct result of recent US military strikes targeting drug traffickers in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean. These strikes, which have claimed over 60 lives, have yet to be substantiated with official evidence linking the deceased to drug trafficking. Intelligence reports from multiple agencies indicate a marked decrease in the flow of illegal drugs, particularly from Venezuela and Colombia, leading to a shortage in TT. This scarcity has driven up prices, with Colombian kush marijuana reportedly tripling in cost from $1,800 to nearly $6,000 per pound. Since the crackdown began, the TT Police Service (TTPS) has seized nearly two tonnes of marijuana, further exacerbating the shortage. Notable seizures include 268kg of Colombian ‘Creepy’ marijuana valued at $29 million on September 12, and 1177kg of the same strain worth $292 million on October 1. Commissioner Guevarro also highlighted ongoing efforts to curb local cultivation, including intercepting foreign seeds and eradicating marijuana plants. Addressing concerns that drug dealers might diversify their criminal activities to offset financial losses, Guevarro assured that strategies are in place, though he remained cryptic about the specifics. He also noted a decline in the sale of smuggled ‘wild meat,’ suggesting that the crackdown has disrupted broader smuggling networks. Despite some items still entering the country illegally, police have gained a better understanding of smuggling operations, enabling more effective interventions.

The Ministry of People and Social Development in Trinidad and Tobago has clarified that it currently has no active financial relationship with the Trinidad and Tobago Red Cross Society (TTRCS). This decision stems from the TTRCS’s failure to meet compliance requirements, particularly the timely submission of audited financial statements. In a media release dated November 4, the ministry acknowledged that the TTRCS is in the process of updating its records and has recently submitted audited statements for the years 2019 to 2022. The ministry’s statement was issued in response to recent media reports concerning the TTRCS’s financial challenges. The ministry emphasized that once full compliance is achieved, it will assess the organization using established monitoring and evaluation procedures to determine future funding considerations. Both entities remain committed to their shared mission of supporting the most vulnerable members of society, a commitment reaffirmed during meetings earlier this year. On November 1, newly elected TTRCS vice president Edward Moodie revealed that the organization currently has no funds during the reopening of the Red Cross South Branch on Ruth Avenue, San Fernando. Moodie stated that the TTRCS is owed over a million dollars and may need to explore legal options to recover these funds. He also highlighted operational issues, including a breakdown in ambulance services and the need to renegotiate several contracts, particularly the Tobago contract, which he deemed financially unsustainable. The ministry’s stance echoes a June 4 media release, which addressed governance and management issues within the TTRCS. At that time, the ministry described the TTRCS as a key civil society actor but noted the absence of a financial relationship due to compliance issues. Both agencies remain committed to serving the most vulnerable in society, and the ministry anticipates that the TTRCS will continue to uphold principles of good governance, accountability, fairness, equity, and equality.

Commissioner of Police (CoP) Allister Guevarro has expressed strong support for the ongoing detention of 98 individuals under preventative detention orders (PDOs) during Trinidad and Tobago’s State of Emergency (SoE). The SoE, declared on July 18 and extended twice, has led to a notable decline in crime rates, with homicides dropping by 42%, violent crimes by 19%, and other serious offenses by 11%. Guevarro emphasized that the detainees, including a police officer and a prison officer, will remain in custody as long as the SoE persists, though he acknowledged their eventual release is inevitable. The CoP highlighted the effectiveness of the SoE in curbing crime but clarified that PDOs are preventive measures, not indictments of criminal activity. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar assured that detainees retain access to justice, including the right to appeal to a tribunal or court. Deputy Commissioner of Police Suzette Martin reported over 2,000 charges filed since the SoE began, underscoring the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies. Guevarro urged public cooperation, warning that silence perpetuates crime, and emphasized the need for sustained vigilance to maintain the progress achieved.