Cops crack sex and drug ring
TRINIDAD Police have smashed what they believe to be a major sex and drug ring operating in Western Trinidad after they raided several upscale homes and a restaurant early Wednesday morning. During the police operation in West Trinidad that started at 2 am, 19 South American females were rescued while police detained 10 male Asian suspects. They also seized over a $1 million in local and foreign currency and arrested five male Asian and three female South Americans Wednesday eve ning, after intelligence gathered from the first set of raids in the west led them to East Trinidad.
Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith told Guardian Media on Wednesday that some of the women were rescued at an upscale, Westmoorings home, complete with swimming pool, while other women were rescued at another upscale home along Morne, near St Anthony’s College and the rest at the restaurant. Griffith coordinated the operation, which involved officers of the Western Division, Special Operations Response Team (SORT), Counter Trafficking Unit (CTU), Financial Intelligence Branch (FIB) and the Child Protection Unit (CPU). Griffith described the operation as a significant breakthrough. “They have been instrumental in what may very well break a major ring in Trinidad and Tobago in the involvement of illegal immigration of young ladies that also involves prostitution and all other aspects of human trafficking,” Griffith told Guardian Media. He said the young women were held in captivity and were possibly victims of a sex ring. “Most of them are 15 and 16 years old that were actually held against their will, they were basically slaves being used as prostitutes by certain individuals.” He added, “Imagine they were keeping these girls in rooms that were locked up and bolted. And police also found drugs in these rooms.” Investigations are ongoing. (Trinidad & Tobago Guardian Photo: Trinidad & Tobago Guardian)