Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander is promising more resources for the Counter Trafficking Unit (CTU).
Speaking in an interview with TTT News at his office on Wednesday, he admitted that there is a high prevalence of human trafficking in Trinidad and Tobago.
“Persons see it as an avenue to make money. So one man is benefiting, and another man, life, is being destroyed.”
Minister Alexander’s statements follow a recent successful operation by members of this country’s Counter Trafficking Unit and other agencies which led to the rescue of 11 victims in Rio Claro.
The Minister commended the work of the Unit and spoke of plans to provide additional resources.
“When you see those requests coming, you have no choice, you know, because I understand it at that level because I was there. So I know what is required, how soon it is required. So we will stop at nothing to ensure that they receive the right resources, whether human or technical, that they need to bring that unit, to move it away from that Tier 2 they are right now into a Tier 1.”
Minister Alexander took the opportunity to send a message to the citizens of this country, in particular to perpetrators of such offences.
“Because of what you doing to people, you will suffer the consequences of your actions. Justice will come sooner than you think. And I want to thank members of the public, who are making observations now more than ever. I know some persons are trying to discourage you from reporting to the police, or the police talking, and the police telling, and all this. I don’t want to call it nonsense, but it is. I want to thank you for taking that stand because today, it could be somebody else, and tomorrow it could be your or one of your children.”