Four ‘gang leaders’ among 19 targeted in new PDOs

Trinidad and Tobago's Minister of Homeland Security, Roger Alexander, has issued preventive detention orders for 19 individuals, including four alleged gang leaders and three men connected to home invasion investigations. These legal notices, published recently, allege the detainees are involved in organized criminal activities linked to various gangs operating across the country.

The alleged crimes include armed robberies, home invasions, firearms and narcotics trafficking, extortion, retaliatory shootings, and general gang violence. The orders were issued under Paragraph 2 of the Schedule to the Emergency Powers Regulations of 2026, specifically Regulation 14, which allows for "preventative detentions" when deemed necessary to prevent actions prejudicial to public safety based on intelligence.

Among those named are Clevorn Oxley and Sherehem Louis, identified as leaders of the Building 20 Gang in Maloney Gardens; Jude Dells, a leader of a group in the California/Couva area; and Dillon Prince, identified as a leader in Oropune Gardens. Nijsane Hercules was named as an adviser to the KTA Gang, and Shawn Narine as alleged third-in-command of a group in the California/Couva district.

Several detainees are linked to specific criminal incidents. Jelani Duncan and Devon Barran are alleged to have participated in a home invasion and robbery with violence in Gasparillo. Aquinde Winchester is implicated in a home invasion with threats and linked to robbery with aggravation, burglary, and robbery with violence across the Southern Division. Seyon Simeon Vialva and Randy Emille are alleged affiliates of the Arouca Radical Muslim Gang, involved in firearms and narcotics trafficking, extortion, and attacks on rival gangs.