$1.6B for SAUTT in seven years

The Government of Trinidad and Tobago has published a detailed report of the operations of the Special Anti-Crime Unit of Trinidad and Tobago (SAUTT) of the Ministry of National Security.

It shows that SAUTT received close to $1.6 billion over the seven-year period 2003 to 2010.
Former Prime Minister Patrick Manning established SAUTT in November 2003 and created various agencies for SAUTT.

The unit spent millions of dollars to buy three sophisticated helicopters and the controversial blimp to form its air operations.

SAUTT's largest expenditure was for infrastructure, followed by air operations and salaries and allowances.

The report also provides details of the work SAUTT has done in its various activities, which include training and assisting in the fight against crime.

Read the full report

Gary Griffith, National Security Adviser to Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, said recently some foreigners at SAUTT are being paid more than $100,000 a month, which pushed the cost over $100 million annually.