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“Since our last report, we continued with the investigation and have detained three more persons, bringing the number of individuals detained in relation to this matter to seven. The investigation remains a live one.
“[…] The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service is obligated to enlighten citizens and residents of this country of any threat which has come to our attention.”
The following release on an ongoing investigation into an unspecified, violent threat to Carnival 2018 was submitted by acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams:
(Copyright Trinidad Guardian)
In my capacity as Commissioner of Police of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, I wish to give the assurance to residents and visitors that the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service continues to address the threat to disrupt Carnival 2018 festivities.
As you may recall, we first reported the matter to you on Thursday 8 February, 2018. The threat is of unusual criminal acts of varying forms, including violence.
Since our last report, we continued with the investigation and have detained three more persons, bringing the number of individuals detained in relation to this matter to seven. The investigation remains a live one.
We are working diligently and doing everything possible, within the framework of the law, to conclude this investigation within the shortest period of time.
I wish though to clarify that, contrary to rumours and some media reporting, we have not unearthed any threat in relation to any embassy or high commission with a diplomatic presence in Trinidad and Tobago.
At present, the investigators continue to interview persons detained and they also continue to pursue the gathering of evidence with a clear intention to prosecute persons where sufficient evidence would have been obtained. We are consulting with the Director of Public Prosecutions at intervals.
The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service is obligated to enlighten citizens and residents of this country of any threat which has come to our attention. In fact, we owe a duty of care to inform all. It is in this context our initial statement to you would have been made and it is for this reason I am today addressing you.
As the investigation progresses, our commitment is to keep you informed on a timely basis.
At the moment, we are doing everything legally possible to eliminate the threat to public safety and security for Carnival 2018 celebrations and, based on the advances we have made since the threat was uncovered, I am in a position to give the public the assurance that the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, supported by our partner agency, the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force, will continue to be out in our numbers at all Carnival venues to ensure a safe and secure Carnival 2018.
We continue to remind citizens that, while they are enjoying the festivities, any matter which may come to their attention and which they consider to be strange, unusual or untoward, they should feel free to share such matters to any police officer on duty or with any police station or by calling 999.
(Courtesy Sean Morrison/Wired868)
At this juncture, I wish to commend Imam Sheraz Ali of the Nur-E-Islam Masjid in El Socorro for the very fair representation he has given about a search carried out at his masjid by the police on Thursday morning.
Police officers have been directed, by me to be professional in the execution of their duties in relation to this ongoing investigation and the general conduct of their policing function.
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Today’s Guardian:
“Five of the 13 people detained in relation to an alleged terrorist plot targeting recently concluded Carnival celebrations, were released by police between Wednesday evening and last night…”
http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2018-02-15/imam-knocks-police-intel
http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2018-02-15/tariq-mohammed-terror-plot-claim-just-ludicrous
http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2018-02-14/it-was-no-joke
http://newsday.co.tt/2018/02/14/free-tariq/
Has any of the detainees been charged yet? Asking for the country.
As of this morning’s paper? Nope.
We want names of persons arrested their backgrounds and their attorneys names
BANDITS “terrorising” people in POS…
http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2018-02-12/more-raids-terror-plot
I would remember to tell my grandchildren this story before they go to bed
Along with the 8000 pounds of dasheen…**
Have the dasheen been taken in for questioning?
A friend mentioned that local dasheen have gone a bit hard and don’t boil anymore in da pot. Should we be importing dasheen rather than incarcerating them? Asking for the friend.
Good news! The threat that we don’t know anything about is supposedly averted thanks to “the quick work of the police.”
http://newsday.co.tt/2018/02/12/carnival-threat-averted-says-acting-cop/
Lol
Then that means US intelligence most likely got unlimited access to monitor our cell traffic.
I’m waiting for even one conviction from those eight detainees before I start giving pats on the back. Although they patting themselves vigorously on the back from the looks of it.
If there was robust evidence to charge the detainees, it would have been done already. The “threat averted” rhetoric is the insult to the intelligence of the public just before they release the detainees.IMHO.
Maybe just an excuse to keep maximum compliment of regiment and police from using leave during carnival.
Hey we doh want no f**king terrorist here
Alla
Always praying
All them Muslim
And then one wonders why the country is in the mess we are in ? look at the kind of idiots we have at the top ,does one really expect anything better from this fool ? This man is a big joke yes hahahahah
Lawsuits… what a joke. By the time the cases come up, we all will be dead. Criminal justice system a joke.
That was the attitude in 1990. Go figure. Them things never happen in good ole Trini.
Just another distraction….Rowlee call the elections now…
Thanks to the US embassy
It matters not where the information comes from inno as long as they act upon it. Remember the Mohamed guy was arrested in Saudi Arabia for connections to isis he spent more than a year in Saudi jail eh just saying
Just do what you have to do. You know there will always be the doubting “Thomases” I don’t know, I’m not doubting anything. Social media have some of us ” chupppidd “
?
The threat! Listen to the news on social media, the police, and just keep on saying it is not a threat. One day it will happen and you will not be prepared. They have something to investigate and it was unearthed by theUS. Forget about Muslims. It’s the radicals, not the real Muslims. Get informed and stop talking nonsense. You all stupid, yes!
Stephen des Vignes. You are talking ‘ta ta’ uneducated stupidness.
Tell that bald headed idot call the elections after the carnival ….
http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2018-02-10/brit-couple-flees-tt-after-armed-robbery
If you read the post on the female victim’s fb page… Lots of dynamics there.
One important one, since before carnival, and even for local interests, the police have been suppressing the murder count. I was following it when it first went askew. Thirtyseven I counted by a Friday, that should have been forty four by Monday, but official stats stayed at 34 (something so.
Ive forgotten exact statistics
Police Mum police selective
WHAT IS D THREAT
Just a distraction
Political idiots creating havoc to deviate their incompetence
Yuh correct
They just looking for a reason to target muslims… They should really get something to investigate
They ain’t find one scratch bomb or a toy gun yet but only panicking john public. Wait nah the antiterrorism bill supposed to come up for debate soon, like they pulling ah George Bush on we Trini’s. Frighten the public and do whatever you want after because the public will accept anything without questioning it.
It’s better to risk a lawsuit than an attack
I agree
Great to know they are working behind the scenes.
They not saying what these threats are. If they found guns, or bombs or plans to do some form of sabotage.
No harm being aware Maven. Given we are not living in simpler times where everything is as it seems. Not even the news media is 100% trustworthy.
Absolutely Chris.
In all things,: Nothing is as it seems or appears.
I was just having fun.
This is a thoroughly amusing thread.
You all have discussed a news story Then deconstructed it to non reality
Exploring the roles of film, diamonds and oil to FBI and CIA on non US soil. Rendering the story something of a fabrication, so the whole post should be taken down
Lol
Did I get that right? Lol
Be advised trusting USA is pure madness. Where are the Iraq weapons of mass destruction that led to invasion of Iraq?
What motive can Isis gain with an attack in TT?
Devils advocate asking what if US intelligence wants more access to monitoring mobile traffic or truly scary scenario is would US interests destabilize our government to control our oil reserves?
At the current price of oil is it worth it?
Joel diamonds are controlled by one conglomerate such that the price is totally under their control despite its plentiful supply and the ability to be manufactured.
Oil companies can only control price if they control price. So yes Joel it is quite sensible. Note also that many say oil is getting harder to find.
Lasana Liburd
He didn’t mention US troops either.
No they wouldn’t enter because they not suppose to br there that or CNN full of sh*t
Very good statement, poise and erudition aside, solid on content as well, complimentary to the police and informative on dispelling rumors. Sounds like both parties handled themselves with aplomb.
Hope there are evidence and charges to follow otherwise look out for law suits just like those who were held some years ago
Damn right.
BTW, the FBI do investigations on matters that involve criminals “inside” of the US. The CIA operates when the activities that is a risk to America’s interest takes place “outside” of the US. That said, did law enforcement authorities really receive info from the FBI as the newspapers have said? What other pieces of misinformation are there in the newspapers’ quest to sensationalize this matter?
That’s the thing. There hasn’t been confirmation of that.
Actually yes the FBI can work with authorities outside the USA example investigation to Russia meddling in the US election.
Joel, the Russia investigation is based on an inland issue though. It isn’t about something in Moscow.
They had to collaborate with British agencies and other entities to trace the hacks
Joel I know what you’re saying but that is investigating a matter in the US. It does seem more logical to me that if the central issue is off US soil, that it would be the CIA’s remit.
Unless they are looking for a Yankee terrorist or something. Or someone who committed a crime in the US.
CIA main job is to implement covert operations that directly that benefit America foreign policy, spying, overthrowing governments, assasainations, etc. Investigation are secondary.
^^^Where you get that from, Wikileaks? Both the CIA and the FBI are investigative bodies, and both use subterfuge and covert operations as everyday tools. Malcolm is correct to the extent that the CIA has no jurisdiction domestically, so they can’t investigate/operate within the US. The FBI is just the opposite, they have no jurisdiction outside of the US. The other key difference is that where the CIA’s focus is intelligence gathering and furthering the US political agenda abroad, the FBI’s focus is law enforcement, essentially a nationwide (federal) police body. I haven’t read the accounts in the local press, but it sounds like if they’re here, it’s to consult and collaborate with, and advise the TTPS.
A lot of what people believe about the US they learned from Hollywood, there are movies about the FBI working on cases on foreign soil. I think it’s important to keep in mind the distinction between reality and fantasy.
Just go to FBI Website ok
Today, the FBI’s International Operations Division met with three top executives from Argentina’s Ministry of Security at FBI Headquarters to discuss law enforcement cooperation and international law enforcement issues of mutual interest.
Learn more about our International Operations Division at https://www.fbi.gov/about/leadership-and-structure/international-operations
^^^ “to consult and collaborate with, and advise.” They have no jurisdiction outside of the US, meaning they can’t investigate or enforce laws outside of the US. They are free to sit down and talk, share ideas etc.
Never SAID they did but they operate outside the US they would be foolish not to.
FBI has a field office in the embassy here….
Steven they actually don’t. What you’re referring to is the Legal Attache, who is assigned to the Embassy via the Department of State. It’s not a separate FBI office, and Joel, it’s “operations” only to the extent that they train, collaborate and share intelligence and methods with local law enforcement… all through the Legal Attache. Pretty standard.
Ok if you say so
Sovereignty is what needs to be understood.
I don’t know it for a fact, but it would not surprise me if, in addition to a Legal Attache, there are a couple of CIA operatives working at the US Embassy in T&T gathering intelligence regarding people leaving to join ISIS and their return. It serves the US’ interest to be proactive and monitor this situation. Obviously, they are not going to depend on local law enforcement agencies for information.
Probably have some CIA personnel masquerading as embassy personnel indeed. It would only make sense, given how many Trinis have left to join ISIS/ISIL.
Like the way you put that Nigel. “masquerading as embassy personnel”. That’s the way they operate…… lol
I does watch Narcos 😉
Yes the Lasana Liburd i hear you but US Troops land that ain’t joke
The US mistakenly had baby on the terror list and thing too yuh know. Lol. I’d expect it to be more serious with all of this fuss. But I’ll admit that I’d be skeptical up until the pressing of charges.
The Backside behaviour of the island’s leader has made you a sarcastic man Lasana Liburd lol
Precisely. How many years it took those geniuses to pronounce on some emails with misspellings? I could go on and on with my reasons to doubt Williams. But I won’t bad talk him too much because I don’t want Dulalchan to get his job! Lol
yuh killing meh lol
Joel the TTPS hasn’t confirmed US involvement though.
CNN has
Lasana Liburd sorry to be the bearer of bad news. Stephen Williams is history. One of the reasons he wasn’t selected in the top two is that he is 58 years old and has more than two years of Pre-retirement leave to take. When he gets back from Pre-retirement leave, he will be over the retirement age of 60 years old.
Malcolm who was the third dude again? The one not named Dulalchan?
Harold Phillip
Yes Harold the guy who a judge (in a case dealing police abuse)called reckless in his duty.
This is the most devious line-up since Usual Suspects oui! ???
My order is (1) Useless Stephen (2) Reckless Harold (3) Farmer/Roti Police Commissioner Dulalchan!
^^^ you make it so crystal clear plain that we are a caricature country. Jokey. Not real.. Comedy of Satires* self (typo. But satires self)
Burnt before. After the SOE came the plot to assassinate then PM Kamla PB. Then was word that Rajae Ali’s mosque had smuggled in arms. And that the Jamaat was planning something…
Not a charge stuck for any of that. I’m looking to see if this time would be different.
If it isn’t, I think Stephen Williams should resign yes.
I was sceptical too, simply because we did more recently experience concerns when there was a threat to malls around Christmas time
But the fact that international advisories have been issued suggests something a bit more serious.
I can only assume there have been none locally because the govt is underplaying the issue -the same thing they do for crime. (Note deep sarcasm).
Nerisha, the international advisories could also be in response to our statements. If the police say they expect trouble at Carnival and the US and UK know their tourists are coming for that, they would issue advisories based on just that.
Both countries have assets in T&T that give reports and briefings.
It is in their interest to monitor especially if local authorities are lacking resources (mental or physical)
Often these assets merely monitor and only advise if they feel the threat is serious.
The Embassy’s warnings are as standard as weather reports, tropical storm watch vs warning, hurricane watch vs warning.
All have very different levels of awareness and can change rapidly in either direction
Lasana Liburd
So have you Not seen the international and local reports that state it was foreign intelligence that discovered this plot?
That it came from US Embassy PoS sources and they gave it to our local police?
None of this originated here, which does not absolve Williams of a resign
This thing sounding serious