DCP: 1,588 arrested, 355 charged so far under SoE

Gold Commander of the State of Emergency (SoE), Deputy Commissioner of Police Suzette Martin, says the number of people detained so far under this SoE has already surpassed the number arrested during the entirety of last SoE.

In a media release yesterday, Martin said the stats to date show a “significant operational milestone” 45 days into the SoE.

“To date, 258 detention orders have been approved, with 170 executed. These figures have already surpassed those recorded at the conclusion of the previous state of emergency, which stood at 205 approved and 153 executed.”

She said to date, there have been 3,694 operations, resulting in 1,588 persons arrested, 355 persons charged, 90 firearms recovered, 2,196 rounds of ammunition seized, 3,146 kilogrammes of cocaine and 337.040 kilogrammes of marijuana seized.

This is as a result of deliberate, intelligence-led policing, coordinated national operations, and a sustained focus on priority offenders and organised criminal networks and not incidental, she said.

“For the public, the message is clear: the TTPS is strategically targeting individuals and groups who pose the greatest threat to the safety and stability of our communities, and we are doing so with precision and purpose. This, however, is not a point of conclusion. We are now entering a critical phase of the State of Emergency, where consistency, effective execution, and accountability will determine the overall impact of our efforts,” she stated

Martin added that the TTPS remains fully committed to disrupting criminal enterprises, removing high-risk offenders from society, and restoring and maintaining public safety and order.

“Let me be clear, operations will continue with intensity, discipline, and zero tolerance for criminal activity. We will not relent. We will not ease the pressure. We will continue to deliver results in the interest of national security,” Martin said.

Her comments came hours after Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro said it was too early to make any recommendations on whether or not there is a need to extend the SoE or to enforce any curfews, which he said would just impede law-abiding citizens. He made the comment while being questioned by the media at the end of a Chamber of Commerce forum in Westmoorings yesterday.