Plot to kidnap 2 top NHA men discussed

Ag Police Commissioner Everald Snaggs yesterday summoned all members of his executive to an emergency meeting at the Police Administration Building, to discuss the crime situation in the country. All officers were summoned to the meeting which started at 4 pm. Newsday learned that Snaggs, who returned from an Interpol conference, wanted an update on the crime situation in the country. During the meeting, the alleged plan to kidnap Andre Monteil, Chairman of the National Housing Authority and Noel Garcia, Executive Director at NHA was also discussed at length. Police sources revealed that a caller to Crime Stoppers gave the information to the police about a plan by members of a religious organisation, believed to be involved in organised crime, to carry out the act.

A senior police officer said that based on the report, the police decided to act on the information. On Friday night, police officers were posted at the Haleland Park, Maraval home of Monteil while other officers were dispatched to the St Joseph home of Garcia. The move will continue indefinitely. Both Monteil and Garcia are closely affiliated with the PNM. Officers said that many gang members who are employed with the NHA’s $75 million refurbishment programme, are involved in defrauding the government of millions of dollars. Recently, a decision was taken to have the army called in at all NHA projects to ensure that funds allocated to the projects reach the intended recipients. Police officers confirmed that they are also working on information that threats have been issued in the past to NHA officials to give lucrative contracts with gangs affiliated to the Jamaat Al Muslimeen. During the meeting yesterday, police officers expressed concern over the spate of murders. Up until late yesterday, 177 persons were murdered for the year so far. That figure represents five more than the 172 for the entire period last year. Between Friday and Saturday, two persons were murdered in Laventille.