Trinis urged to be on lookout for human trafficking, Guyanese in custody

(Trinidad Guardian) The Counter Trafficking Unit (CTU) is calling on citizens of T&T to be observant for possible indicators of human trafficking.

This call was made in light on last week’s incident where police officers may have been able to crackdown on an alleged human trafficking ring in Arouca. A businessman was subsequently arrested after two Venezuelan women were rescued.

One Guyanese national was taken into custody while the CTU is partnering with key law enforcement agencies on the investigation.

“The more citizens become aware of human trafficking, the greater the potential of this heinous crime being addressed within our shores.

“Crime in this country cannot be tackled solely by law enforcement but is dependent on the co-operation and active concern of the general public,” the CTU said in a release.

Persons are asked to look for:

• Homes or buildings which appear overly secured with frequent presence of vehicles at odd hours.

• Presence of foreign nationals, particularly young women, going to and from the premises.

• Residents of such homes typically keeping to themselves with the young women almost always escorted in and out by someone.

• Persons may live and work in the same premises with working conditions below minimum labour standards.

The CTU of the Ministry of National Security is the mandated agency responsible for addressing human trafficking in T&T.

It was established and is governed by the T&T Trafficking in Persons Act 14 of 2011.

If you know of or suspect any human trafficking activities, persons are asked to contact the CTU at 800-4CTU/4288. All calls are anonymous.