标签： Trinidad and Tobago

In a significant law enforcement operation, police have apprehended the owner of an illegal quarry in Manuel Congo, Guanapo, along with 17 employees, charging them with unlawful mineral processing without a license. The arrests, made on October 9, were part of a coordinated effort led by Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro and other senior officers, including Deputy Commissioner Natasha George and ACP Richard Smith. The suspects were charged under Section 45 of the Minerals Act and are set to appear in court on October 22. Each was granted $50,000 bail early on October 11. The operation targeted a site that had been under surveillance for over a year due to its involvement in illegal activities, including deforestation, unauthorized mineral extraction, and the financing of organized crime. Commissioner Guevarro commended the officers for their dedication and precision, emphasizing the TTPS’s commitment to safeguarding national resources and public safety. He urged citizens to support law enforcement in dismantling criminal networks. The site remains under police guard as investigations continue, with officers pursuing additional evidence and identifying further conspirators.

A recent decision by the Presbyterian Board of Education to restrict non-Christian religious observances in its secondary schools has ignited a heated debate, drawing criticism from prominent figures including former government minister Surujrattan Rambachan and ex-Naparima College teacher Jamwant Maharaj. The policy, outlined in a circular to administrators of five Presbyterian schools—Hillview College, Naparima College, Naparima Girls’ High School, Iere High School, and St Augustine Girls’ High School—states that only Presbyterian denominational celebrations, such as Easter and Christmas, will be permitted on school grounds. Other religious observances must be conducted in an educational format, with agendas reviewed by the Board beforehand. The circular emphasizes adherence to the Presbyterian Church’s ethos, prohibiting prayers or texts that diminish the sovereignty of Jesus Christ. The Board defended the policy, asserting that it aims to preserve the institution’s religious identity while fostering educational awareness of other faiths. However, critics argue that the move undermines religious freedom and cultural inclusivity. Rambachan questioned whether Hindu students’ rights to celebrate Divali were being curtailed, while Maharaj lamented the potential end of a 49-year tradition of cultural Divali celebrations at Naparima College. The Ministry of Education responded by acknowledging the Board’s position but stressed the importance of promoting tolerance and mutual respect in schools. The controversy highlights the delicate balance between religious identity and cultural diversity in educational institutions.

Trinidad has been gripped by a wave of violent crimes, with five murders recorded overnight, including a double homicide in Valencia. This alarming spike in violence has pushed the monthly murder toll to 20, surpassing the 16 recorded during the same period last year. The annual count now stands at 292, compared to 490 in the previous year. The recent incidents have left communities in shock and raised concerns about public safety. The double murder in Valencia occurred at a bar along Valencia Old Road shortly after 1 am. Two men, Derrick Rowley, 26, and Shane Fulchan, 42, were shot dead by gunmen who stormed the establishment. Two others were injured but are reportedly in stable condition. In a separate incident, 73-year-old Stephen Lewis was fatally stabbed near the office of Arima MP Pennelope Beckles. Witnesses reported seeing an unidentified man and woman leaving Lewis’ home before he collapsed in a supermarket parking lot. Around the same time, 32-year-old Aledo Roberts was shot dead at his home in Wallerfield by a masked assailant. Earlier in the evening, 42-year-old Kurleigh Simon was gunned down in Maloney while walking with a relative and her 12-year-old son. The relative sustained a gunshot wound to her calf but survived. These tragic events highlight the urgent need for enhanced security measures and community intervention to curb the rising tide of violence.

In a significant crackdown on illegal quarrying operations, Gregory Mc Burnie, identified by police as the ‘main boss’ of a multi-million dollar illegal quarrying empire, fell ill shortly after his arrest on October 9. Mc Burnie, along with 18 others, was apprehended during a raid by heavily armed police on an illegal quarrying plant in the forests of Manuel Congo, Guanapo. Following his arrest, Mc Burnie was permitted to seek medical treatment at a private hospital in north Trinidad, accompanied by a police escort, at his own expense. Police sources indicated that the illnesses were not serious, and Mc Burnie was discharged by 11 am on October 10. The arrests were part of a coordinated effort involving multiple agencies, with charges expected to be filed this weekend. At least three suspects are likely to face charges under section 45 of the Minerals Act, which prohibits the unlicensed processing of minerals. The penalties for such offenses include a $500,000 fine and five years imprisonment for first-time offenders, escalating to a $700,000 fine and seven years imprisonment for subsequent convictions. Additionally, individuals and companies involved in trading illegally obtained minerals are barred from bidding on government-funded construction projects. Police are expected to remain at the quarry site as they lack facilities to store the equipment and vehicles, which may serve as crucial evidence in the prosecution of the suspects.