3 weeks ago
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Police say they have made a significant win in the fight against white-collar crime, with a court-ordered forfeiture of illicit cash linked to human trafficking and money laundering.
In a release issued yesterday, the TTPS said the ruling follows a years-long investigation that began with a 2019 joint raid by the Port-of-Spain Task Force and the Special Operations Response Team (SORT) at a “Secret Sunday” event on Lady Chancellor Road, where officers rescued a Spanish-speaking minor. The child was immediately placed under the care of the Counter-Trafficking Unit (CTU) and the Child Protection Unit (CPU).
CTU officers later executed a search warrant at a Cunupia bar on November 25, 2019, uncovering 33 Spanish-speaking women. The bar’s manager, Andrew George, was arrested.
Police said the probe then centred on Wei Hui Zhu. Acting Sgt Antoine secured warrants to search two of Zhu’s properties, including a Westmoorings residence where a large sum of cash was seized by now Acting ASP St Clair.
Zhu was charged on December 16, 2019, with offences related to child trafficking, and the court granted permission to detain the seized funds.
The Financial Investigations Branch (FIB), led by Avinash Singh under the White Collar Crime Division, took over the financial probe. PC Pierre, along with WASP Weaver Ali, traced the seized money to unlawful activity.
On July 29, 2025, Acting Chief Magistrate Christine Charles ordered the forfeiture of the following to the State under the Proceeds of Crime Act:
• TT$36,719, US$8,063, GY $60,060, RMB ¥1,965, EC $965, €345, HK $180
The court found the evidence showed Zhu was directly or indirectly engaged in money laundering and human trafficking.
The TTPS praised the efforts of the CTU, CPU and FIB, saying the case reflects its commitment to dismantling criminal networks and recovering proceeds of crime.
English (US) ·