AG Jeremie vows to go after ‘1% gangs’ funding PNM

Trinidad and Tobago's Attorney General, John Jeremie, has accused a powerful "1%" group of significantly influencing and funding the ruling People's National Movement (PNM) party. Jeremie asserted that this group controls substantial parts of the nation's economy and has thrived under the PNM's decade-long governance.

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We all know that our American friends have sophisticated means of intelligence gathering. They appear now to have determined that certain individuals should not, as a result of their activities, be travelling to the United States, and they have taken action to ensure that that does not happen.

Jeremie detailed the group's alleged privileges, including unfettered access to US dollars for their businesses and lifestyles. He contrasted this with the struggles of ordinary citizens who face difficulties obtaining even small amounts of foreign currency for travel. The Attorney General noted that members of this group routinely charge hundreds of thousands of dollars monthly to their credit cards for foreign exchange.

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They control and own large segments of our economy. They thrived for a decade under the PNM. They have absolutely no problem accessing any amount of US dollars at any point in time to fund their businesses, their leisure travel, their lifestyles, while the rest of us struggle and line up in banks to get $200 to make foreign trips and only if we show evidence of a ticket to travel.

"They funded the PNM. They were revered by the PNM. They have taken over the PNM," Jeremie stated, suggesting a deep entanglement between the group and the political party. He also alluded to a recent event where the U.S. government revoked visas of certain individuals associated with this group, noting that American intelligence agencies possess sophisticated gathering capabilities.

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They funded the PNM. They were revered by the PNM. They have taken over the PNM. Those opposites are their ready, happy, and willing pawns.

The Attorney General emphasized that the government's actions are guided by the Anti-Gang Act, which defines a gang broadly. He declared that individuals acting like gang members, regardless of their wealth or status, will be treated accordingly. Jeremie's remarks followed statements made in Parliament regarding preventive detention orders against individuals allegedly involved in a conspiracy to murder government officials.

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To those persons among us who consider that their wealth allows them guarantees from prosecution, and from the attention of law enforcement bodies, we say those days are behind us. If you behave as gang members do, you shall be treated in exactly the sam