Crime Stoppers helps seize $22.7M in drugs

CRIME STOPPERS (Trinidad and Tobago) continues to play an invaluable part in Government’s ongoing war against crime in TT, with information provided to the group allowing police to seize $22.7 million worth of illegal narcotics for this year. The statistics released yesterday by Crime Stoppers appear to have contributed to a recent decision by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UNSC) to grant its international umbrella organisation, Crime Stoppers International Inc (CSI), “special consultative status” to advise the UN on issues related to crime and terrorism.

According to data provided by Crime Stoppers, the group received a total of 1,080 tips from January to July, and these tips have enabled police to clear 407 investigations and solve 421 offences over the same period. The data also shows that information provided to Crime Stoppers over the same period was responsible for police seizure of $22.7 million worth of illegal drugs, destruction of 300 marijuana trees, recovery of $38,800 worth of stolen TSTT cables, seizure of 26 firearms and 18 rounds of ammunition, and arrest and charging of 56 persons.

Noting that Crime Stoppers continues to have a significant impact in assisting local law enforcement agencies to fight crime in TT, group chairman Darrin Carmichael said it was gratifying to know that Crime Stoppers “will be helping to develop policies and strategies that will undoubtedly assist the UN in stemming the flow of illicit drugs and fighting other crimes, including the threats we are currently facing from terrorism that are affecting the lives of people in every country.” At a service at the Red House on Wednesday to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the July 27, 1990, coup attempt, Prime Minister Patrick Manning said Government has taken steps to strengthen the nation’s security because it recognises the global threat posed by terrorism and is determined to prevent the events of July 27 from reoccurring.

CSI president Steve Walrath also hailed the UNSC’s decision, declaring that as a world leader in the fight against crime, CSI believes that persons who serve with Crime Stoppers in law enforcement and volunteers from the business community and the media “can contribute a wealth of experience to the UN, particularly in areas related to concerns of crime and the threat of terrorism.” Walrath said CSI expects to be working closely with the UN’s Office on Drugs and Crime, “which was established in 1997 and has been a global leader in the fight against illicit drugs and other international criminal activity.” CSI executive director and general counsel Richard Carter said the UN’s special consultative status granted to Crime Stoppers runs from 2005 to 2008, and allows the organisation to attend and make oral presentations at all of the UN’s offices worldwide as well as participate in all UN-sponsored meetings worldwide.