标签： Trinidad and Tobago

Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro has publicly addressed mounting criticism regarding the absence of arrests following two major drug interdictions that netted 2.2 tonnes of marijuana valued at $171 million. The operations, which occurred on December 11, targeted drug trafficking activities in the Caroni Swamp and along South Central Road.

Commissioner Guevarro justified the operational decisions during the inauguration of a Municipal Police Post in Port of Spain on December 12. He emphasized strategic resource allocation concerns, stating that exposing officers to extended surveillance in hazardous swamp conditions would constitute irresponsible leadership. “I would be very hard pressed to leave my officers in the bush to wait or in the swamp to wait for someone to come back and collect their 1.5 tonnes of marijuana,” Guevarro explained.

The police chief revealed that advanced surveillance technology played a crucial role in the operations. A recently installed US military-grade radar system in Tobago provided critical intelligence that enabled the successful intercepts. According to Guevarro, the conspicuous police presence during the operations effectively disrupted the criminal network, as traffickers would have detected police movements from considerable distances and abandoned their contraband.

Despite recovering massive drug quantities within 24 hours, Guevarro acknowledged the perception issues surrounding the lack of arrests. He maintained that the primary objective of removing dangerous drugs from circulation had been achieved, with the seized marijuana slated for destruction. The commissioner’s comments highlight the complex balance between law enforcement objectives and officer safety considerations in anti-narcotics operations.

The Estate Police Association (EPA) has issued a stark warning about the deteriorating credibility of Trinidad and Tobago’s industrial relations system due to persistently delayed wage negotiations. Association President Deryck Richardson revealed that unresolved negotiation cycles spanning from 2014-2016, 2016-2019, and the still-pending 2020-2025/26 period continue to severely compromise the collective bargaining process.

The systemic delays have created a situation where wage settlements lose their real value due to inflationary erosion, forcing employees to prioritize back pay over meaningful improvements in living standards. Richardson emphasized that expired negotiation cycles fundamentally restrict both parties’ ability to implement substantive changes to collective agreements, as addressing past ‘lived realities’ becomes increasingly impractical once the relevant period has passed.

A particularly concerning example emerges from the National Maintenance Training and Security Company, where years of delays may result in estate constables receiving no wage increases whatsoever. This stagnation places their basic compensation at par with security officers lacking police commissioner-issued precepts, while supervisors receive only minimal adjustments.

The association notes that successive minimum wage adjustments have effectively overtaken earlier wage proposals, creating the false impression that workers have received adequate increases. Richardson clarified that the minimum wage represents merely a protective floor rather than a genuine assessment of officers’ skills, responsibilities, and risks.

Compounding the problem, job evaluations across state companies and statutory bodies remain outdated, failing to reflect modern duties and expectations. The state’s continued reliance on antiquated assessment methods further undermines fair compensation practices.

These negotiation delays also generate substantial back pay obligations that burden state finances and complicate long-term budgeting. The EPA emphasizes that timely settlements would enable responsible financial planning while ensuring workers receive increases when they actually matter.

The association confirms it has submitted proposals to resolve all outstanding negotiation periods and now calls on the state to honor the collective bargaining process, return negotiations to proper timeframes, and restore real value to the nation’s estate police officers.

In a significant blow to narcotics trafficking networks, Trinidad and Tobago police authorities have intercepted approximately $56 million worth of marijuana in a remote forested area near Cap-De-Ville, Point Fortin. The operation, executed on December 11 between 4:30 PM and 8:30 PM, resulted in the confiscation of 23 substantial bales of the illicit substance.

Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro personally oversaw the strategic operation alongside Senior Superintendent Thompson, with coordination handled by Assistant Superintendents Forbes, Corrie, and Lewis. The multi-unit effort involved personnel from Special Branch South and the South Western Division, demonstrating coordinated law enforcement capabilities.

Following the seizure, specialized crime scene investigators PC Telesford and PC Ramdass meticulously processed the remote location before transferring evidence to the Special Investigations Unit for comprehensive analysis and follow-up operations.

Commissioner Guevarro emphasized the broader implications of such interventions, stating: ‘The value of these major seizures extends beyond monetary calculations to encompass the countless lives protected from narcotics devastation. While criminal networks profit from human suffering, our police service remains dedicated to dismantling their operations and stripping them of illegal revenues.’

The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service reaffirmed its commitment to intelligence-driven anti-crime strategies targeting serious offenses and narcotics activities nationwide, signaling continued aggressive measures against organized crime syndicates.

After prolonged negotiations, approximately 14,000 educators in Trinidad and Tobago are finally set to receive their long-awaited salary adjustments and back payments. The breakthrough came following a decisive December 10th meeting between the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers’ Association (TTUTA) and Chief Personnel Officer Dr. Daryl Dindial at the Personnel Department headquarters in St. Clair.

TTUTA President Crystal Ashe confirmed to media outlets that the settlement covers the 2020-2023 period, featuring a compounded five percent salary increase distributed as one percent, one percent, and three percent increments. Notably, the agreement extends beyond classroom teachers to include Third Schedule members such as school supervisors, curriculum officers, and guidance personnel who had previously been uncertain about their inclusion.

Dr. Dindial committed to processing all payments by the end of January 2026, acknowledging that logistical constraints prevented December distribution. While refusing to guarantee absolute deadlines, he emphasized concerted efforts toward meeting the January timeframe.

The resolution follows TTUTA’s April pre-election acceptance of the government’s offer, which also included an adjustment to the Cost of Living Allowance (COLA), increased to $51 effective October 31, 2023. According to budget statements, the implementation carries substantial financial implications—$214 million in recurrent annual costs plus $730 million in arrears through December 2025.

Additional discussions addressed healthcare coverage expansion through Unimed to include retired educators and travel compensation for Tobago-based curriculum coordinators. The CPO’s office characterized the negotiations as ‘highly productive’ in building foundations for ongoing dialogue.

The development comes despite TTUTA’s public appeal on December 4th for Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar’s personal intervention to secure pre-Christmas payments. While the PM subsequently committed to settling separate Public Services Association agreements at ten percent with advance holiday payments, she notably omitted reference to other trade unions’ pending settlements during parliamentary proceedings.