Ryan Bachoo
The Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) has commended the Anti-Illicit Trade Task Force (AITTF), private sector bodies as well as law enforcement officers on their continued efforts to combat illicit trade in the domestic sector. However, the body says more collaboration is needed in the fight.
A statement on Monday said, "Despite the seizures that have happened over the past couple of months, the implications of the crime continue to affect legitimate business operators and the safety and well-being of the citizenry at large."
The TTMA says this type of crime involves counterfeiting, tax evasion, and the smuggling of consumer products. The items that are primarily susceptible to the trade are highly taxable commodities such as tobacco, alcohol, pharmaceuticals, designer apparel and footwear, just to name a few.
"Research shows that it also has linkages to money laundering, human trafficking, the unscrupulous importation of arms and ammunition and even terrorist financing in some instances," the statement read.
The Association believes that the lack of resources remains a critical hindrance in accelerating the fight against crime. Law enforcement officers are faced with solving the upsurge in murders, car theft, house-breaking and robberies in addition to organised crime of this kind. Our porous borders accelerate the issue even further, more so with the trafficking of drugs, weapons and people.
It says collaboration is critical in battling crime.