标签： Trinidad and Tobago

In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking, law enforcement authorities have seized an estimated $400,000 worth of high-grade marijuana at the Port of Port of Spain. The discovery was made during a meticulously coordinated operation led by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) and its partner agencies on November 24. The illicit cargo, weighing approximately 4.6 kilograms, was concealed within a barrel shipped from Fort Myers, Florida. Acting on credible intelligence received on November 23, officers pinpointed a suspected storage location at the Port Authority on Dock Road. The operation, codenamed BLAST, involved multiple agencies including the Port Police, Customs and Excise Division, Special Branch, Special Investigations Unit (SIU), and the National Operational Task Force (NOTF). The search of two barrels awaiting clearance led to the discovery of cannabis packages hidden beneath clothing. Senior officials, including DCP Operations Suzette Martin and ACP Tactical Support Collis Hazel, oversaw the operation. The TTPS has reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with local and international law enforcement to combat the illegal narcotics trade and ensure public safety. Investigations into the matter are ongoing.

The Scotiabank Foundation has strengthened its collaboration with the Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CADV) by launching an innovative economic empowerment initiative aimed at supporting women affected by domestic violence. This program extends beyond traditional psychosocial assistance, focusing on equipping survivors with practical skills and entrepreneurial knowledge to foster financial independence and rebuild their lives. In 2024, Scotiabank’s contributions enabled CADV to provide critical services, including trauma counseling, legal aid, relocation support, and educational assistance for families in need. Building on this foundation, the Foundation has donated $120,000 to enhance CADV’s Psychosocial Services Programme with a six-month economic empowerment component. The initiative will benefit fifteen survivors, offering three months of hands-on training in garment construction and sewing, followed by three months of business development guidance. Participants will learn essential skills such as pattern drafting, machine operation, and garment assembly, alongside business planning, market research, financial management, and marketing strategies. Scotiabank emphasized that its commitment to CADV is action-oriented, with employees actively driving change through the bank’s Empower Employee Resource Group. Volunteers lead sensitization workshops to raise awareness and amplify CADV’s mission of creating safer, stronger communities. Sabrina Mowlah-Baksh, General Manager of CADV, praised the partnership as a model of multi-layered involvement, highlighting its developmental impact on participants and their families. Gayle Pazos, Senior VP and Managing Director of Scotiabank TT, underscored the initiative’s transformative potential, stating that it empowers women to gain confidence, rebuild their lives, and achieve economic independence.

A disturbing incident of school violence at Sangre Grande Secondary School has left a Form Two student severely traumatized and fearful of returning to the classroom. The attack, which occurred on November 19, was captured on video by fellow students and later circulated on social media. The footage shows the victim being assaulted by another female student, with the altercation escalating when a male student hurled a metal chair across the room, striking the aggressor. The victim, who sustained a head injury, was subsequently stomped on and hit with the chair. She was rushed to Sangre Grande Hospital for treatment and has not attended school since the incident. An official from the school expressed deep concern over the event, stating that the presence of two police officers on campus did not prevent the violence. The official attributed the unruly behavior to a lack of parental guidance, noting that some parents tend to side with their children during disciplinary meetings. The incident reportedly began when the victim refused to give money to a male student, prompting his girlfriend and her friends to confront and attack her. Despite police intervention, the assailants appeared indifferent to the consequences of their actions. This incident is part of a broader pattern of violence in Sangre Grande schools, which has led to increased police patrols and officers stationed on school grounds. DCP Junior Benjamin acknowledged the challenges but emphasized that the initiative to place officers in schools has led to a reduction in violence overall. He called for a collective effort from families, religious institutions, and schools to address the root causes of such behavior and foster positive change among students.

In a heart-wrenching incident that has left the community of Siparia in shock, UNC councillor Romona Victor and her common-law husband Rodney Ramsumair were found dead in their home on Sunday. The police have classified the case as a murder-suicide, with Ramsumair allegedly killing Victor before taking his own life. The discovery was made by Victor’s father, Francis Victor, who described the scene as harrowing and deeply traumatic. Francis revealed that he had long feared for his daughter’s safety due to the volatile nature of her relationship with Ramsumair, which had been marked by frequent conflicts and reconciliations. Romona, known for her dedication to her constituents, had a private life fraught with challenges. Autopsies confirmed that she died from blunt force trauma to the neck, while Ramsumair succumbed to poisoning. The tragedy has prompted condolences from political leaders, including Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles. Ramsumair’s father has proposed a joint funeral, though the Victor family has yet to decide on the matter. The incident underscores the devastating consequences of domestic violence and the urgent need for intervention in troubled relationships.