Eleven Venezuelan women believed to have been trafficked were rescued during a joint operation between the Counter Trafficking Unit (CTU) and the T&T Police Service (TTPS) on Tuesday in Cunupia. The suspects, all locals, were also arrested.
The TTPS, in a statement issued yesterday, revealed the victims were found at a “spa” at Sunrise Crescent, Welcome Road, Cunupia, after allegedly being held against their will by the owners/operators of the facility.
During the rescue effort, which included officers from the Central Divisional Task Force Area North, three Trinidadians, two men and a woman, were pointed out as those responsible for the illegal operation.
The raid took place between 3.40 pm and 8.05 pm on Tuesday and began at a private residence on Ragoonanan Road, Cunupia.
Officials also seized several items during their search.
While the suspects remained in police custody up to yesterday, officials from the Immigration Department were summoned to assist in verifying the immigration status of the victims.
Of the 11, two women were identified as potential victims of trafficking and were recorded as displaying clear indicators of human trafficking.
The remaining nine women were left in the custody of officers at the Cunupia Police Station, where they were to be processed further by the Immigration Division.
The TTPS has asked anyone with information on suspected human trafficking activities to contact the CTU Hotline at 800-4CTU (4288).