The root of all evil
One would be daft...or moreso, deranged, if he or she were to say that T&T isn't fast descending into an abyss of unthinkable dread. During my time abroad, I have listened to many pontificate over how best to rescue the nation from this certain doom. The impetus of their agenda is misdirected however, as they too often focus on the symptoms of the disease rather than what causes it in the first place. It is all too easy to blame the men from Morvant, Laventille and Carenage for the constant siege that they lay to the places that we call home.
In my opinion however, the BIGGEST SINGLE problem facing T&T at this present time is the seemingly unstoppable influx of narcotics, weaponry and ammunition onto our shores. We need to ask ourselves, ''Where does it come from and WHO brings it in?'' I wrote a piece a few years ago highlighting this very point. As far as I know, there are no major ports of entry in Morvant, Laventille, Carenage, St. James or any of the other so-called 'crime hot-spots.' Many of the people notorious for committing these despicable acts of violence do not own passports, much less visas...neither do they own boats or light aircraft.
The seizure of TT$700m in cocaine last year, as well as an assortment of guns and ammunition on Monos Island is truly a case in point. Which group of citizens has the enormous financial and logistical muscle to import almost ONE FUCKING BILLION DOLLARS worth of cocaine and guns into Trinidad? Who are the types of people who own homes and are familiar with the nooks and crannies ''down-de-islands''? I know for a fact that it is not my brethren RAFA and TOXIC from "'9-storeys".
Intelligence here in the UK has T&T as a major transhipment point of cocaine destined for Europe. This is because of our close proximity to South America as well as our modern docks and cargo handling facilities. HOW MANY MORE CONSIGNMENTS OF SIMILAR VALUE HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFULLY BROUGHT INTO T&T THIS YEAR ALONE?? Is it therefore a surprise that a lot of this contraband ends up on the streets of Morvant, Laventille, Carenage, St. James as payment by the drug barons for services rendered? They then descend through the ''food-chain'' and into the hands of people like RAFA and TOXIC. Unlike Great Britain, France and the United States to name but a few, &T does not have to worry about things like people smuggling, proliferation of nuclear weapons, terrorism (Jamaat apart) etc. How hard would it be to STEM the flow of guns and ammunition into the country? How hard would it be then to pool the necessary resources to combat just these two things-THE IMPORTATION OF DRUGS AND GUNS (INCLUDING AMMO)? An answer in two words-NOT VERY! It is simple really...less illegal guns in the country, less illegal guns on the streets...less illegal guns on the streets, less shootings...less shootings, less murders!!
posted by Babash Media & Events at 03:29
3 Comments:
One of the main defenses that the people in charge of our security has used is that it is very difficult to secure the borders of T&T because of the very fact that we are a small island. Now, the fact that we are a small island should logically mean it would be easier to secure than a larger nation with a physical connection to another land mass. How then can T&T secure the shores?
I feel very dirty saying this but to quote the US president George Bush, what about the use of an electronic fence? The size of TNT would allow for something like this to be implemented quite easily. There would be a record of any craft that crosses the fence irregardless of credentials. Criminals would find a way to circumvent any sort of electronic only technique but people must be employed as well to monitor these things.
The military has no real job in T&T and should be used in cases such as these. They should be made to assist in surveillance. The problem also lies in the corruption that has permeated the entire society, so you cannot depend on the heads of the police service to give proper guidance however, if separate bodies are implemented and stricter control is placed on these bodies things should run a little smoother.
Do you have any possible ideas on security reform?
May 28, 2006 11:18 pm
the fact that we are but a very small island is my point exactly. this is where an indepth threat analysis needs to be carried out. some people get paid big money to do what i am going to do in a few sentences. to the east of us, we have nothing but atlantic, while to the north, there are much smaller caribbean islands. We have to face it in the caribbean. nobody is going to attack us...those days are long gone (the bygone eras of the british, french and spanish empires)The threat to the us comes from within. That leaves the west coast (Gulf of Paria) and the South Coast (whatever channel it is called) apart from the errant bajan fisherman, there is nothing to worry about. We can then pool all our available resources to beef up security on the west and south coasts. as stated in the article, the drugs and guns are coming from south and central america en route to europe.
May 29, 2006 9:20 am
we have it so much easier than say the US or Uk. The fact that we are but a small island is my point exactly. People get paid a lot of money to conduct the threat assessment that i am going to do in a few sentences. To the east of trinidad is nothing but atlantic, while to the north, apart from the errant bajan fisherman, we also have nothing to worry about. We have to face up to reality. nobody wants to attack us in the caribbean. the days when we had to fear the british, french and spanish empires have long gone. Our smaller caribbean neighbours are too insignificant to pose any threat. let's face it, do we really expect st. vincent and the grenadines to come and attack us??? the threat we face is from within. so, straight away, that leaves two main coasts to worry about. the gulf of paria is very important for several reasons. our two main cities, house of parliament, main radio and TV stations, two main ports, central bank, police and army headquarters, our two main refineries and our LNG plant are all on this coast to some extent. it is on this coast also, as well as the south, that most of the drugs and guns come from through south and central america. It cant be that hard to pool resources to cover these two shores. we can more than afford to overbalance with security on this side because of the aofrementioned reasons. so, instead of having coast guard boats trawl up and down the east and north coast for the threat that will never come, divert resources to these areas. If we are to be attacked, it will be by a bigger and more powerful entity...ala someone on the south american mainland.
May 29, 2006 9:34 am
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