A multi-agency operation led by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service has resulted in the arrest of 15 people for illegal mineral processing under the Minerals Act.
The exercise took place in Manuel Congo, Guanapo, where millions of dollars’ worth of equipment and aggregate material were seized.
Superintendent Leon Haynes shared details of the operation at the site on Thursday.
“We have arrested about 15 persons, including the Director of the company that run these operations and we are continuing our inquiry. It is an offense of illegal processing under the Minerals Act. We have been working along with the Director of Minerals, who has demanded to treat with illegal quarrying and these things. This particular investigation has been going on for quite some time, about a year, so for us to reach this stage.”
Commissioner of Police Allister Guevarro described this act as “robbing Trinidad and Tobago.”
“They are removing the material which belongs to the State and even before they get to this portion, there were trees. This was pristine forest where wildlife used to be roaming free. So they cut the trees, they sold that. Then they dig the material, and they sell that. And then they dig further down, because we have places as far as 60 feet deep on the other side where they extract the gravel material, use an illegal processing plant to then monetise their illegal gains and sell to the members of the public.”
He noted that these activities have led to deaths in the past.
The Commissioner said Thursday’s operation led to the seizure of equipment and aggregate material.
“What that has essentially done, it has raped the treasury of Trinidad and Tobago of millions of dollars that these people now use gang affiliations to keep away from their monetised efforts. We have several persons who would have lost their lives in the past because of operations similar to this and because of this operation. So the hard work of Mr. Haynes and his team over the past couple of years has culminated in this today, where we have now seized millions of dollars’ worth of equipment and aggregate material, which can now be taken to the court and be dispensed with.”
Investigations continue, with the aim of cracking down on these illegal activities across the country.
