Trinidad prisons superintendent detained under State of Emergency over gang ties

A senior prisons superintendent, Garth Guada, has become the latest figure detained under Trinidad and Tobago’s state of emergency, accused of facilitating gang activity from behind bars.

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A detention order gazetted on August 27 identified the officer as an associate of the Radical Islamic Criminal Gang and other networks.

The order stated: “He has been confirmed to be providing support to other gang leaders and members who are incarcerated in furtherance of their participation in, involvement in or commission of violent gang-related activities, including the imminently planned killing of public officials in public spaces using high-powered rifles.”

The order said as a prison supervisor, Guada “repeatedly facilitated the breach of prison security measures for the benefit of the gang members and has been trying to engage in further breaches at their current place of incarceration (Teteron Barracks).” He has been ordered detained at the Eastern Correctional Rehabilitation Centre (ECRC) in Santa Rosa.

The detention follows a recent security breach at Staubles Bay, where a cellphone and charger were discovered at the coast guard’s headquarters on August 21, forcing authorities to relocate high-risk inmates to Teteron Barracks, where electronic signals are jammed. Several of these prisoners, accused of plotting assassinations, kidnappings, and gang wars, have been moved multiple times since July 18.

Earlier smuggling attempts prompted the government to expand emergency powers, criminalising possession of any items suspected of being intended for prison smuggling. Since the state of emergency began on July 18, Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander has signed more than 50 preventive detention orders. To date, 33 orders have been gazetted, including for alleged gang leaders Rajaee Ali, his brother Hamid, and Earl Richards, all accused of directing gang operations from prison.

Authorities allege Ali conspired with the GR8 Gang Alliance to carry out imminent attacks on law enforcement officers and public officials. Richards and Hamid Ali are accused of similar plots while maintaining gang communications from military facilities. Rajaee Ali and Richards are challenging their detention and transfers from the Maximum Security Prison.

Other detention orders have targeted enforcers and shooters from Diego Martin, Penal, Fyzabad, and Port of Spain, accused of plotting armed robberies, retaliatory violence, or attacks with high-powered rifles. Four orders have been revoked, though no reasons were provided.

Parliament has authorised the Minister of Homeland Security to designate any location, including military bases, as prisons. Officials say these measures are vital to limiting the reach of gangs operating from inside traditional facilities, often with the help of compromised officers.

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Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro emphasised on August 22 that, “The TTPS will use every lawful measure available under the state of emergency to disrupt and dismantle criminal syndicates. The TTPS is acting strategically and intentionally, which sends a clear message that the police service will do what is necessary to ensure that the rule of law will prevail.”