Gangs, Guns, and Governance in Trinidad and Tobago

[paid_influencer]

let he who has never created a shell company in the UK with a gang leader cast the first stone

[hover11]

let he who has never created a shell company in the UK with a gang leader cast the first stone

I just find it hilarious to be a police in this country you have to undergo a polygraph test yet to be a politician which bestows much more power and responsibility.....nothing of the sort

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[pugboy]

they trying to make it sound like he just happen to use an address of a trini who is ain’t really know

[Redress10]

Kamla say she mother was of the lowest caste and then went to list out the sort of jobs she had to do to survive. Roti maker, seamtress, market vendor etc

That is how she see people doing those jobs? As low caste and low class people?

as a low-caste/low class person this doesn't really bother me tbh. This is what we do to survive

the other day I was arm deep in literal chit. not even joking

But I thought she was Brahmin. How she become low caste now. She playing who could be more injun with Stuart now.

I hate these politicians who try to pander to the "poor man" like if everybody eh working hard to remove as much sufferation from their live. They does act like is a badge of honour to be in poverty.

Come come come. Give us that story.

in the Indian social system, women of lower society can marry up. It is up to the upper castes to accept the lower status of the women.


https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inter-caste_marriage

Zoom

Why are we assuming that there is any truth to this story. I feel she trying to play who more injun than me with Stuart. Which is a weird position to take at this point in time. No one has and could ever question KPB indian heritage so why even bring it up? Stuart "indianess" is really so threatening to their base?

If it was KCR she was going up against she wouldn't be doing this. So if it was Rohan she was going up against, she would say that she's a south indian vs a north indian?

Regardless of whoever wins, our next prime minister is going to be of east indian descent.

[Redress10]

let he who has never created a shell company in the UK with a gang leader cast the first stone

I just find it hilarious to be a police in this country you have to undergo a polygraph test yet to be a politician which bestows much more power and responsibility.....nothing of the sort

Sent from my SM-N986U1 using TriniTuner mobile app

Nothing about that article offered anything of substance. The company never traded, it never had a bank account nothing. That isn't even the defintion of a shell company. He even label some man who living out in the UK for past couple of years as an international drug and gun smuggler and offered no evidence supporting this. The man probably doesn't even have a speeding ticket to his name. It is insane that he keeps getting away with this type of reporting.

[Dizzy28]

let he who has never created a shell company in the UK with a gang leader cast the first stone

I just find it hilarious to be a police in this country you have to undergo a polygraph test yet to be a politician which bestows much more power and responsibility.....nothing of the sort

Sent from my SM-N986U1 using TriniTuner mobile app

Nothing about that article offered anything of substance. The company never traded, it never had a bank account nothing. That isn't even the defintion of a shell company. He even label some man who living out in the UK for past couple of years as an international drug and gun smuggler and offered no evidence supporting this. The man probably doesn't even have a speeding ticket to his name. It is insane that he keeps getting away with this type of reporting.

Is Seven Gang behind this user account?
You're defence of the MP for one of the constituencies most affected by gang violence in the country is quite astounding.

Bassant's article does makes mention of sources. Its not fan fiction being written.

Multiple law enforcement intelligence sources who spoke with CCN during the course of a three-month investigation confirmed that various intelligence files doc­­­umenting the gangster’s transatlantic illicit actions had been compiled.

In some cases, parts of these reports were shared with CCN, outlining his “long arms” in this country and across the globe.

These reports pointed to coordinated smuggling acti­vities and a complex web of financial transactions spanning North America, Europe and the Caribbean.

With the assistance of a European investigative counterpart, CCN identified a slew of shell companies that intelligence sources say helped conceal unlawful profits from global gun and drug running operations over time.

Maybe more will be revealed soon. But you are willing to give a Politician the benefit of the doubt?

[Redress10]

Dizzy

Based on the article that was written, no sort of information or evidence was offered. Everything was basically hyperbole. This is suppose to be an "investigative" piece and he using words such as may and might. So in his investigations he seemed to have found nothing.

How you can claim a company is a shell company because it have no activity connected to it or because it folded?

The point I am making is use of "multiple intelligence sources" is nothing more than fan fiction at this point. He always uses terms such as those and what are they suppose to mean at this point. Nobody leak a document to him showing a report?

We living in the era of leaks. Nothing else is going to be revealed.

[zoom rader]

Kamla say she mother was of the lowest caste and then went to list out the sort of jobs she had to do to survive. Roti maker, seamtress, market vendor etc

That is how she see people doing those jobs? As low caste and low class people?

as a low-caste/low class person this doesn't really bother me tbh. This is what we do to survive

the other day I was arm deep in literal chit. not even joking

But I thought she was Brahmin. How she become low caste now. She playing who could be more injun with Stuart now.

I hate these politicians who try to pander to the "poor man" like if everybody eh working hard to remove as much sufferation from their live. They does act like is a badge of honour to be in poverty.

Come come come. Give us that story.

in the Indian social system, women of lower society can marry up. It is up to the upper castes to accept the lower status of the women.


https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inter-caste_marriage

Zoom

Why are we assuming that there is any truth to this story. I feel she trying to play who more injun than me with Stuart. Which is a weird position to take at this point in time. No one has and could ever question KPB indian heritage so why even bring it up? Stuart "indianess" is really so threatening to their base?

If it was KCR she was going up against she wouldn't be doing this. So if it was Rohan she was going up against, she would say that she's a south indian vs a north indian?

Regardless of whoever wins, our next prime minister is going to be of east indian descent.

Small pin deep down does not classify himself as Indian.

it's the media that promotes this. Even certain ppl of Indian heritage try to hide their indian background.

Small pin is the one that beats up Indian kids in school with Muslim names. Now, the media shows him as going to mosque.

[hover11]

MARK BASSANT RECEIVES DEATH THREAT AFTER INVESTIGATIVE REPORT

Senior Multimedia Investigative Journalist and Producer for CCN TV6 and The Express Mark Bassant has reported receiving a threatening message after his recent investigative story, which has sparked concern over his safety.

The threat, which included a chilling comment alluding to when he would be gone, was reportedly sent to him just before he left the office on Wednesday.

The message read, “I hope the money you get for the so-called exclusive can support the family when you’re gone.”

Bassant, who has been threatened in the past due to his investigative work, immediately took action.

He contacted law enforcement within 10 minutes of receiving the threat, filing a report with the police and notifying the Cyber Unit.

https://trinidadexpress.com/newsextra/d ... FIKr_UU_Gw


Big man thing LEONCE looking rather guilty

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[bluefete]

When the SSA man who put in the home cameras for the rastaman Nat Sec was murdered on the highway, reminded me of how the kings of England cleaned up the surplus labour after building their escape tunnels in the castles.

[pugboy]

you mean south indian vs north valsayn indian lol
big distinction they like to separate themselves eh

Kamla say she mother was of the lowest caste and then went to list out the sort of jobs she had to do to survive. Roti maker, seamtress, market vendor etc

That is how she see people doing those jobs? As low caste and low class people?

as a low-caste/low class person this doesn't really bother me tbh. This is what we do to survive

the other day I was arm deep in literal chit. not even joking

But I thought she was Brahmin. How she become low caste now. She playing who could be more injun with Stuart now.

I hate these politicians who try to pander to the "poor man" like if everybody eh working hard to remove as much sufferation from their live. They does act like is a badge of honour to be in poverty.

Come come come. Give us that story.

in the Indian social system, women of lower society can marry up. It is up to the upper castes to accept the lower status of the women.


https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inter-caste_marriage

Zoom

Why are we assuming that there is any truth to this story. I feel she trying to play who more injun than me with Stuart. Which is a weird position to take at this point in time. No one has and could ever question KPB indian heritage so why even bring it up? Stuart "indianess" is really so threatening to their base?

If it was KCR she was going up against she wouldn't be doing this. So if it was Rohan she was going up against, she would say that she's a south indian vs a north indian?

Regardless of whoever wins, our next prime minister is going to be of east indian descent.

[The_Honourable]

Basically the Bassant story in video

[hover11]

Basically the Bassant story in video

Honorable what are your thoughts on this, mine are simple.....Birds of a feather flock together. LEONCE knew very well what he was doing as he never declared that he was a director to the integrity commission. He didn't want to be affiliated with prezi seems he didn't cover up his tracks as well as he thought.

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[pugboy]

leonce in govt since 2015 or so
he CANNOT pretend he doesn’t know about all them integrity docs politically exposed ppl have to file every year

this gangster company registration thing was in 2023
and he would surely know that being a director of a company carries a lot of responsibility and liability
NOBODY becomes a director or partner in a company with a stranger or bare acquaintance far less just accidentally use somebody’s address

this make calder hart using his home adddress for his paper sham company like a joke

[The_Honourable]

Honorable what are your thoughts on this, mine are simple.....Birds of a feather flock together. LEONCE knew very well what he was doing as he never declared that he was a director to the integrity commission. He didn't want to be affiliated with prezi seems he didn't cover up his tracks as well as he thought.

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Agreed.

As pugboy said, Leonce in govt nearly 10 years now and he represents a constituency that has widespread gangs. He can't pretend to not know what is going on with these gangs, their leaders and their modus operandi. That being said, registering a business in the UK with a business partner who on the police radar for years is amateurish. A seasoned politician would not have his name exposed to be easily caught like that in the first place.

All gangs have their "people" that not involved with the streets. The good ones have a few in high places. I'm guessing that the seven gang have Leonce who is not just an MP but now Minister of Housing and Urban Development to line up state contracts?

[timelapse]

Plenty Trinis like to glorify gang culture. We have imported it wholesale from America and Jamaica.It comes with the associated music.
The illegal Venezuelans came with their existing gang culture.
People have been defending this nonsense over the years and the chickens have come home to roost.
The ship of good governance has already sailed. We let the good boys in Poverty stricken areas set the crime pace for the entire country. Why complain now?
Trinibad to the world

[pugboy]

bottom line is no govt going to want to piss off their core voter base
which just happens to be some of the most gang riddled strongholds

[16 cycles]

Crazy to have gangs getting state contracts....URP/CEPEP set up that template...

[hover11]

That's the same reason that these programs will never be cut and ghost gangs will continue it benefits the underworld

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[Chimera]

Crazy to have gangs getting state contracts....URP/CEPEP set up that template...

crazy but is it avoidable ?

for "peace" the dogs hadda get fed.

unless you have a heavily funded and motivated police and army dealing with criminals.......

is like giving a gang leader 1 million a month to avoid 20 million in crime- home invasions, car jackings, murders

besides the outright hits plenty murders does be a result of a normal robbery/home invasion/ car jacking


my thinking may be very skewed and may not align with most people morals

[Skanky]

Votes?

You people think politicians do everything they can to empower, protect and finance these gangs for votes?

You people think way too highly of politicians.

[pugboy]

of course they do
you give a “community leader” a big contract so he can lead his band of youths in a particular direction
ask marlene about dat

[pugboy]

that is exactly how it’s been a long time
pnm are masters at this scheme

but now with decriminalization of weed and too much competition for drugs turf plus young bandits getting bright with home invasions
it is no longer sustainable as a measure to keep them dogs at bay

Crazy to have gangs getting state contracts....URP/CEPEP set up that template...

crazy but is it avoidable ?

for "peace" the dogs hadda get fed.

unless you have a heavily funded and motivated police and army dealing with criminals.......

is like giving a gang leader 1 million a month to avoid 20 million in crime- home invasions, car jackings, murders

besides the outright hits plenty murders does be a result of a normal robbery/home invasion/ car jacking


my thinking may be very skewed and may not align with most people morals

[Chimera]

Votes?

You people think politicians do everything they can to empower, protect and finance these gangs for votes?

You people think way too highly of politicians.

Lolll that is one of the main reasons its done worldwide. Even kennedy and the mafia had their deals and understanding in america

[pugboy]

doh forget bakr was a vip long time for both sides

[16 cycles]

Extortion...give me money and I won't commit crimes...then I'll put a 3% towards party financing as a kick back and we can keep the cycle going...plus you turn a blind eye to my gang and I can keep giving back to party and rounds up a voting block when you need it.

Send the TTPS after my rivals and they could get a profit cut too...state backed protection.

When is time to cull the young blood, we could mark them off and have TTPS clean up for us.

/Movie plot

[paid_influencer]

Extortion...give me money and I won't commit crimes...then I'll put a 3% towards party financing as a kick back and we can keep the cycle going...plus you turn a blind eye to my gang and I can keep giving back to party and rounds up a voting block when you need it.

Send the TTPS after my rivals and they could get a profit cut too...state backed protection.

When is time to cull the young blood, we could mark them off and have TTPS clean up for us.

/Movie plot

take off the "and I won't commit crimes" part and it seems to sum up the situation

[Gladiator]

Boy our 7 day memory is a curse... those who remember will remember that Gary also spoke about this while he was COP. Soon after they started to go after him and eventually he was removed.

[The_Honourable]

Tren de Aragua in T&T over 3 years

Online report: Venezuelan gang linked to migrant smuggling, drug trafficking to these shores.

by Mark Bassant



THE Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, which was designated a foreign terrorist organisation by the United States in February, along with several other drug cartels, has had a presence in Trinidad and Tobago for the past three years.

This according to data and a detailed analysis of Venezuela's 2024 drug trafficking activities released earlier this year by Transparencia Venezuela.

This information has also been validated by several law enforcement sources who spoke with the Sunday Express.

In an online update on its website on April 1, Transparencia Venezuela summarised the activities of what they termed a mega gang that developed within the Tocoron prison, Venezuela, in 2015.

It stated, 'The Tren de Aragua operates in countries where the most Venezuelan migrants have arrived, such as Colombia, Peru, Chile, Panama, Ecuador, Bolivia, Brazil, and Trinidad and Tobago, as well as the United States and Mexico, setting off alarm bells in countries such as Canada and even Spain, where since 2022 there have been indications of possible money laundering by this criminal organisation on its territory, according to Chilean investigations.'

A former national security official, who has since transferred to another specialised sector to monitor crime in the country, informed the Sunday Express that he has been aware of their existence in Trinidad since 2022.

'By speaking to Venezuelan migrants in certain areas of Trinidad over the years, we know they have pockets in Central, South and along the East-West Corridor. We have information that there is a main cell operating in a certain area in Central (name of location called),' said the official.

According to the senior source, members of this particular gang follow a dress code.

'They wear their hats differently than most people, and they have specific tattoos,' he said. 'We know that the information provided by some of these Venezuelan migrants helps us differentiate who belongs to the gang.'

While some may assist law enforcement agencies around the world, Transparencia Venezuela says many Venezuelan migrants who fled during the humanitarian crisis in their country are beholden to Tren de Aragua.

'The Tren de Aragua adopted migrant smuggling as its core business following the exodus of Venezuelans, especially since 2017, establishing a system of 'coyotes' and 'tourism agencies' to profit from the tragedy of tens of thousands of people fleeing Venezuela, fleeing the complex humanitarian emergency. This business opportunity led them to follow migrants and seize market share in the towns where Venezuelans, especially, settled,' the organisation's report stated.

It added, 'The Aragua Train exploits the vulnerability of Venezuelan migrants who, due to their irregular status, are afraid to pursue legal proceedings, either due to a feeling of lack of protection or distrust in the judicial system of their host country. Venezuelans lack a culture of reporting, or they don't report because there are practices that are naturalised as a means of survival. Furthermore, they are unfamiliar with the legal system of criminal activity and become victims of invisible crimes that generate impunity.'

Transparencia Venezuela, in its 101-page report, pointed out that Tren de Aragua started off with crimes such as extortion and kidnapping, and now has been formally accused of involvement in drug trafficking, as well as migrant trafficking, illegal mining, and smuggling.

Murder is also on the long list as the gang, according to Transparencia Venezuela, 'are especially cruel because they dismember their victims, shoot them dozens of times, torture them, and publish videos of these acts on social media'.

It recalled examples such as remains scattered in black bags in Bogota, Colombia, as well as the case of two men buried alive in Peru and a trans sex worker riddled with 30 gunshots, also in that country, 'among other atrocities'.

'There were a few homicides last year and even the year before that would have followed this modus operandi of this particular gang,' a senior police source told the Sunday Express.

But still there remains no definitive connection.

'But in some cases, the killings have been classified as gang-related,' the source said.

And while law enforcement in T&T says they have only known about the existence of Tren de Aragua here just over three years ago, Transparencia Venezuela, in its report, found that since 2018, 'five years before the police and military intervention in the Torocon prison, there were already reports of the Tren de Aragua actions on the border of Venezuela with Colombia and Brazil, Aruba, Curaçao, Bonaire, Trinidad and Tobago, Peru, and Chile committing crimes of extortion, migrant trafficking, illegal mining, and smuggling, especially gasoline.

'It is noted that the expansion of the Tren de Aragua has posed security challenges to the region, not only because it highlights the institutional weakness of the various governments along its borders but also because the prison has served as a training ground for criminals.'

A high-ranking intelligence source with knowledge of the gang's activities here believes they don't associate with any of Trinidad's local gangs.

'They are heavily focused on human and drug trafficking, and as far as we are aware, we haven't seen any communications with local gangs. A lot of people make up stuff about gang relationships. These Venezuelans don't trust Trini gangsters,' he told the Sunday Express.

The Transparencia Venezuela study revealed certain findings about Tren de Aragua when it enters another country.

'The Tren de Aragua negotiates with local gangs, setting limits on their activity, initially in the neighbourhoods where the Venezuelan migrant population settles, and in a second phase, extending its influence to other areas and other illicit businesses,' it reported.

Two other law enforcement sources who had assisted in compiling intelligence reports about Tren de Aragua in the past said it was a 'well-connected organisation across several countries with diverse players'.

Apart from the major criminal gangs like Tren de Aragua that forge alliances with international criminal organisations and guerilla groups, Transparencia Venezuela pointed to a second group known as the 'enablers'.

They are described in the report as 'people who have formal and legal jobs but use their positions to contribute to the continuity of crime in exchange for money. In both cases, the boundaries tend to blur...defence personnel who are bribed to allow drugs to circulate in the country and refrain from punishing criminals, and even judiciary officials who receive payments to facilitate impunity'.

Transparencia Venezuela said the gang's main leader in the Tocoron prison was Hector Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, alias 'Nino Guerrero'.

Prior to a prison raid in September 2023, Guerrero escaped and is believed to be hiding in Colombia with another suspected gang leader, Giovanni San Vincente, alias 'El Viejo', for whom the US State Department has offered a US$3 million reward for information leading to his arrest, while a US$5 million reward has been offered for Guerrero's arrest, as well as the third leader, Johan Jose Romero.

The Transparencia Venezuela report-which draws from several international sources, including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), and US Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs-finds that all 'agree that Venezuela is a bridge for drug shipments originating in Colombia shipped by air, land, or sea to Central American and Caribbean countries, from where they are further sent to North America, Europe, Africa and other destinations where most of the final consumers are located'.

According to Transparencia Venezuela, drug trafficking in Venezuela generated a gross income of US$8,236 million in 2024, with the estimated circulation of approximately 639 tonnes of cocaine in that country.

The report highlights that the main departure points for contraband from Tren de Aragua and several other drug cartels are 'in the west of Venezuela in the states of Zulia and Falcon; in the centre, including the states of La Guaira and Carabobo, where the main ports and airports are located; and in the east, from the states of Nueva Esparta, Sucre, Monagas, and Delta Amacuro, just a few kilometres off the coast of Trinidad and Tobago'.

T&T transshipment point

T&T, in the Transparencia Venezuela report, is described as 'a country that serves as a transshipment point of illicit substances that are subsequently sent to other Caribbean countries, the United States or Europe'.

One of the main routes used by drug traffickers, according to the Transparencia Venezuela report, was 'leaving the town of Guiria, in the Valdez municipality-merely 100 kilometres away from Trinidad and Tobago-a route used by small boats transporting drug shipments'.

Another area pinpointed by the drug traffickers is the Delta Amacuro state and its proximity to T& T, as the Transparencia Venezuela report on page 28 states, 'The drugs get there in packages that are usually smaller and travel in smaller vessels. However, the presence of semi-submersible submarines has also been identified in this area.'

The Transparencia Venezuela report further pointed out that one of the routes identified starts on the Colombian border with the state of Amazonas, in southern Venezuela.

'The loaded boats use the Orinoco River to cross the entire state and reach the states of Monagas and Delta Amacuro, where it ultimately leaves the country bound for Trinidad and Tobago or other nearby countries.'

Transparencia Venezuela said the average wholesale price of cocaine in Central America is US$13,017 per kilogramme, while in Caribbean countries they fetch US$12,602 per kilogramme. The wholesale price skyrockets in North America to US$29,802 per kilogramme, while in Europe it climbs even higher to US$32,516 per kilogramme.

https://trinidadexpress.com/newsextra/t ... 51490.html

[pugboy]

more than one person who has hired diff venes to do lil yard wuk etc has told me they told him that they could source firearms for them, showed pics etc
its a hustle, plain and simple