4 FBI agents coming in June

FOUR Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) agents are coming to Trinidad in early June to upgrade the training of  members of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad (AKS).

The United States Government are assisting the TT Government in providing the services of the agents to spend time in Trinidad in light of the increase in kidnappings across the country. This was revealed yesterday by National Security Minister Howard Chin Lee at Whitehall where he signed a US $941,800 agreement with United States Ambassador Dr Roy Austin to assist in the fight against drug trafficking in Trinidad and Tobago. Although he admitted that most of the money would be used in the fight against drug trafficking, Chin Lee said some of the funds will go to assist the AKS in updating its equipment and mobility as members fight the scourge of kidnapping. So far, 15 persons have been kidnapped this year with six-year-old Mark Prescott the only one who has not yet been found.

The National Security Minister also revealed that some of the money would go to the Coast Guard to strengthen its maritime capabilities. Money, Chin Lee added, would also go towards funding an inter-agency financial crime task force and the Customs Department. The signing ceremony took Chin Lee away from the Senate for a short while. Chin Lee filled in for Prime Minister Patrick Manning who was originally carded to sign the agreement. Instead, Manning was in discussions with Head of the Police Special Branch Assistant Commissioner Frank Diaz. Prior to signing the agreement, Chin Lee added, “The funding will therefore go very far in achieving the aim of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago to eliminate the supply and availability of illicit drugs for use in or transit through Trinidad and Tobago and the elimination of drug trafficking and production in this country.”

Chin Lee assured the US Ambassador that the money will go towards the procurement of vessels to fight drug trafficking as well as providing technical assistance and specialised training to officials attached to the various law enforcement agencies in the country. Dr Austin said the agreement will allow the TT Government to fund port and security upgrades. This, he said, will allow the Defence Force and the Customs to improve border security. “We can assist health officials with tracking precursor chemicals that could be diverted to criminal purposes.” Austin said the money will also allow TT to provide computers to the courts to improve record keeping and assist with speeding up the administration of law.