Businessman Charged in Trafficking Case

In a significant development, a businessman from West Moorings has been charged with human trafficking and money laundering, as reported by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS). This case stems from a detailed investigation that began in 2019, following a joint operation by the Port of Spain Task Force and the Special Operations Response Team (SORT). During a raid at a clandestine event, officers rescued a minor who was in a vulnerable situation and subsequently placed her under the protection of the Counter-Trafficking Unit and Child Protection Unit.

The investigation unveiled further evidence leading police to a bar in Cunupia where 33 Spanish-speaking women were discovered, prompting the arrest of the bar’s manager. The inquiry then shifted focus to a local businessman whose properties in Westmoorings were searched, resulting in the seizure of a significant amount of cash. As a result of the investigation, the businessman was formally charged with child trafficking-related offenses on December 16, 2019.

The Financial Investigations Branch (FIB) of the White Collar Crime Division, led by Avinash Singh, played a crucial role in tracing the seized funds back to illegal activities. On July 29, 2025, Acting Chief Magistrate Christine Charles ordered the forfeiture of various illicit funds amounting to TT $36,719, US $8,063, and other currencies, totaling a significant sum.

The court found the evidence provided by law enforcement conclusive in establishing the businessman’s involvement in money laundering and human trafficking. The TTPS hailed this ruling as a major advancement in the ongoing national battle against organized white-collar crime.