State of Emergency update - 1,143 detained so far; 366 suspected of gang connections

The protective services in Trinidad & Tobago have detained 1,143 persons since the declaration of a state of emergency in the country on August 23.

That number includes 366 persons who are suspected of being connected to gangs. 

At least 30 persons are murder suspects and 82 were picked up for breaking the curfew. 

Police and soldiers have also seized a large quantity of cocaine from a vessel that the coast Guard searched. Four men were taken into custody. Two are T&T nationals, one is from Venezuela and the other is a Colombian.

A release from the Parliamentary Secretary in the communications ministry on the latest upates stated:

"Of the total arrests within the 24-hour period, 27 were gang-related, one homicide, 35 drug-related, two persons were arrested for firearm-related charges, 59 persons were arrested for outstanding warrants, five were arrested for breach of curfew, 22 were arrested for traffic offences, with 96 tickets issued and 13 persons were arrested for other serious offences...

"Three others were arrested for other offences. One firearm and 15 rounds of ammunition were also seized," the release stated.

"To date, a total of 1,143 persons have been arrested, with 366 arrests related to gangs, 216 related to drug offences, 228 related to outstanding warrants, 181 related to other serious offences, 82 related to breach of curfew, and 30 related to homicide," it stated.