Recent police intelligence reports reveal that criminal networks have deeply infiltrated both the Unemployment Relief Programme (URP) and the Community-Based Environmental Protection and Enhancement Programme (CEPEP). National security sources disclosed to the Express that gangs are exploiting these government initiatives as lucrative revenue streams for their illicit operations. One gang from East Trinidad has reportedly illegitimately secured jobs via the URP for its members in areas like Arima, Carapo, and Malabar. Family members of gang leaders are allegedly acting as coordinators, manipulating employee lists to funnel salaries back into their criminal organizations.
The URP and CEPEP have been implicated in financing gang activities, laundering money through fraudulent schemes, and inciting violence among rival groups. Police reports indicate rising tensions over access to state contracts, particularly in Morvant, where inter-gang conflicts are escalating. In Tunapuna, four gangs are locked in a turf war over control of drug distribution areas. With the general election approaching on April 28, authorities anticipate a spike in violence linked to the distribution of short-term contracts from local government corporations.
Sources have identified over a dozen active gangs throughout the nation, monitoring hundreds of their members, both in prison and at large. Sangre Grande and its surroundings have emerged as hotspots for gang activity, with allegations of police officers colluding with criminals by leaking sensitive information, accepting bribes for detainee releases, and ignoring known individuals of interest.
Gangs are reportedly laundering funds through legitimate businesses such as car washes, spas, and construction firms. At a recent budget consultation in Freeport, Minister of Defence Wayne Sturge addressed the gang issue, highlighting the serious challenges posed by these networks.
The National Operations Centre (NOC), responsible for coordinating national security efforts, has come under scrutiny for critical weaknesses. An external team from the United States Embassy assessed the NOC and flagged significant cybersecurity risks, revealing that the system is structurally insecure and that upgrades have been ineffective. Notably, Huawei, a private company, has exclusive access to the NOC’s most sensitive data, raising concerns about internal controls.
Despite recent successes in thwarting terror plots, law enforcement officials warn that the pervasive gang culture in Trinidad and Tobago remains a serious threat. Intensified operations and legislative measures are being put in place to dismantle these criminal networks. Reports indicate that contraband is being smuggled into all 11 prison facilities across the country, with multiple devices capable of bypassing security measures recently confiscated at the Eastern Correctional and Rehabilitation Centre (ECRC).
