Express report uncovers collusion between police and criminal gangs

A report in the Sunday Express states that some police officers assigned to an elite unit known as the Repeat Offenders Programme Task Force (ROPTF) are allegedly in collusion with criminal gangs in East Port of Spain. It states further that in some cases the gangs control the officers.

The paper quotes acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams as saying he is aware of allegations regarding one officer attached to the unit, but does not know of other allegations linking police and gangs.

The paper said it conducted a two-month investigation after Laventille residents made allegations of gross misconduct against ROPTF officers.

It stemmed from an incident in April in which ROPTF officers allegedly abducted Laventille resident Keon "Guts" Glasgow. The Express says up to now no one has heard anything about the whereabouts of Glasgow and the Anti-Kidnapping Squad has so far failed to complete its investigation into the matter.

The paper said then acting Commissioner of Police James Philbert and Deputy Commissioner of Police Gilbert Reyes visited the areas after violent protests at which residents complained of misconduct by the ROPTF.

The Express said authorities assigned a senior officer to investigate the allegations but noted that Supt. Edward Castillo was taken off the case before the probe was completed.

The report says the latest allegation against the unit followed the recent arrest of a 29-year-old Beetham Gardens gang leader, who has been on a police "wanted" list for at least five years. The man is believed to be connected with more than 20 murders.

Officers of the Criminal Intelligence Unit (CIU) and the Northern and North Eastern Division Task Force made the arrest on September 4, the Express says.

It added that the lease agreement for the rented house where the man was arrested carried the name of a female police officer as the lessee. It says the officer's name also appears on the insurance for a Hyundai Tucson, a vehicle that was being used by the suspect.

Police said the suspect claimed that the officer was his cousin, the paper says.

The report adds that the "a well-known criminal" was driving the vehicle in question when it was seized and taken to the CID office. The female officer subsequently collected the vehicle, stating that the man had borrowed the vehicle from her.

The Sunday Express says its investigation shows that the officer is related to another gang leader who operates in the community and is linked to the Beetham gang.

"Let's put it this way, the officer is the sister of a notorious gang leader and a close associate of another gang leader, and both gang leaders are good friends. We also understand that there are several other officers connected to these two deadly gangsters," an arresting officer reportedly told the Express.

The paper said the officer added that senior officers were aware of this because reports were filed that included these details.

The paper says its sources have said that two reports sent to Philbert document an alleged incident in which an officer of the ROPTF tipped off a gang leader minutes before police turned up at his apartment.

The suspect was wanted for questioning in connection with multiple gang-related murders and shootings.

According to the Express, "When officers got to the suspect's apartment, he was just about to leave the premises. Checks on his cellphone showed that five minutes before the officers arrived, the suspect received a phone call from a number assigned to the ROPTF office at the Besson Street Police Station.

"The conversation between the caller and the gangster was also recorded; the officer was identified. Both the CID and Sautt submitted separate reports on the incident, sources said, but no action has been taken in the matter.

"Police officers said up to yesterday (Saturday) this particular officer was still assigned to ROPTF.

The Express also states that "The Repeat Offenders Programme Task Force has been described as "the killing squad" within the Police Service and has been linked to various drive-by shootings and murders.

Read the story in the SUNDAY EXPRESS
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