The Counter Trafficking Unit (CTU) says it led a major multi-agency operation, “Operation Thinking Point,” which resulted in the arrest of a 42-year-old male Trinidad and Tobago national and the rescue of five Venezuelan females, ages 16 to 26.
In a statement, the CTU said the operation was conducted at the corner of Warden Road and Balkaran Street, Point Fortin, following seven months of in-depth investigations.
The suspect is currently in police custody and will be interviewed in relation to three child trafficking investigations.
It said today’s operation builds on a previous CTU and TTPS operation in May 2024 at the same location, where ten females, including six minors, were rescued.
Continued CTU inquiries from that case directly led to today’s breakthrough.
The CTU explained that This operation was conducted in collaboration with several key agencies, including the Ministry of Finance – Valuation Division, Financial Investigations Branch (TTPS), Special Branch (TTPS), Special Investigations Unit (TTPS), Air Support Unit (TTPS), Crime Scene Investigators – Homicide Bureau of Investigations (TTPS), Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU), the Immigration Division, and the Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago.
” As the CTU advances a holistic investigative approach, financial records are now being examined to trace and dismantle trafficking networks. Under Section 24 of the Trafficking in Persons Act, traffickers’ assets can be forfeited upon conviction.
The CTU remains committed to bringing traffickers to justice and ensuring the protection of vulnerable persons.”