State Issues 42 New Preventive Detention Orders Under Emergency Powers

Trinidad and Tobago's government has taken a significant step in its fight against organized crime by issuing 42 Preventive Detention Orders (PDOs) under the Emergency Powers Regulations.

These orders, signed by Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander, target individuals identified as alleged gang leaders, shooters, enforcers, and logistical operatives. The government states that these individuals are linked to organized criminal groups operating across the nation and that their detention is necessary to prevent actions prejudicial to public safety, based on received intelligence.

The PDOs, numbered 356 to 405, were signed between May 8 and June 2. The documents name 42 individuals, including two women, accused of being members of organized crime groups involved in a wide range of illicit activities. These include murders, shootings, armed robberies, home invasions, extortion, narcotics and firearm trafficking, kidnapping, and smuggling contraband into prisons.

Authorities have linked the detainees to numerous criminal organizations such as the Alien/7 Gang, Sixx Gang, ABG Gang, and Rasta City/Seven Gang, among others. The state alleges that many of these groups possess high-powered firearms and are engaged in ongoing conflicts with rival gangs, leading to retaliatory violence and public disturbances.

The Belmont area and its surroundings saw the largest concentration of detainees, with many individuals connected to the Alien/7 Gang and the Davis Street/9 Gang, which are accused of involvement in armed robberies, extortion, violent home invasions, shootings, homicides, and larceny.