Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has issued a warning that no individual or group, regardless of wealth, status or political connections will be shielded from the full force of the law.
In a social media statement, the Prime Minister revealed that foreign assistance has been secured to track billions of US dollars allegedly moved out of Trinidad and Tobago over the past two decades.
“Billions of dollars’ worth of illegal drugs have passed through this country over the last 25 years and no one can answer how it was paid for. The State is finally getting assistance to deal with drug trafficking and money laundering and we will let the chips fall where they may.”
Mrs. Persad-Bissessar added that current and former high-ranking officials of local financial institutions facilitated the sale of massive amounts of foreign currency to local businesses, which was subsequently transferred to foreign accounts linked to cartels and used to acquire real estate and businesses in collaboration with criminal organisations.
“The State is getting foreign assistance to track billions of US dollars that has been sent out of the country over the last 20 years. Some current and former high-ranking officials of local banks facilitated the sale of massive amounts of foreign currency to local businesses which was then transferred to foreign accounts linked to cartels and also used to purchase real estate holdings and businesses in collaboration with cartels.”
The Prime Minister also clarified that the “One Percent” community is not defined by any single ethnic group, but comprises persons of many ethnicities and that no group will receive special treatment or immunity from legal consequences based on wealth, status or association.
“Justice is blind,” the Prime Minister stated. “Whether criminal elements identify themselves as the ‘Sixx’, the ‘Seven’, the ‘One Percent’, or by any other name, they are all subject to the laws of Trinidad and Tobago and will be treated accordingly by the justice system.”
In concluding her statement, the Prime Minister indicated that all law-abiding citizens have nothing to fear from the actions of the US and local law enforcement agencies.