Security clamp down after Muslimeen’s death

URP official and Muslimeen leader Mark Guerra, alias Abdul Jaleel, who was shot dead at Wallerfield on Sunday night will be buried at the Lapeyrouse Cemetery this afternoon after a funeral service at the Jamaat-al-Muslimeen’s headquarters at Mucurapo from 1.30 pm. A post-mortem revealed that Guerra died of multiple gunshot wounds.

Following Guerra’s murder, the police have set up Operation Clampdown in preparation for any gang war that the murder might spark. The operation took effect late Monday and immediately reaped rewards with the arrest of one man and the seizure of a stolen vehicle, a firearm and 12 rounds of .38 ammunition in the Belmont area. Police said the vehicle was recently stolen at gunpoint from a woman in St James. Operation Clampdown is being co-ordinated by Assistant Commissioners of Police (North) Celestine Richards and Oswyn Allard (Crime) and Sr Supt Gilbert Reyes. It will also consist of members of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF), under Major Ricky Garcia.  Newsday was informed that the operation will be ongoing and involves plainclothes officers from the Port-of-Spain CID, uniformed officers and other personnel.

The operation includes joint police/army activities including roadblocks, exercises and searches round the clock in the Port-of-Spain and North Eastern Divisions, with special emphasis on the St Barb’s and Vegas areas, situated in Laventille and Morvant respectively. Police said those two areas have been targetted because of the fear of gang wars over Guerra’s death. Police believe Guerra was shot and killed in reprisal for the March 16 shooting death of Neil “Big Neil” Lewis. Lewis was shot dead in his vehicle at the corner of Prince and Duncan Streets. The police are also exploring other theories. “We are looking at everything, and anything can happen,” a senior officer said. Guerra reportedly had four wives and 13 children. Officers of the Northern Division who are investigating the killing say they have made no arrests. Homicide officer Sgt Hendron Moses is continuing enquiries.