J0shua Seemungal
Former United National Congress minister and senator Devant Maharaj has claimed that between the years 2010 and 2015, internal investigations by the UNC confirmed allegations that some of its party members were involved in human trafficking.
In a statement to the media, Maharaj said he wished to confirm the statement of Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley that particular members of the UNC were involved in human trafficking.
“I can confirm that I assisted in these investigations. I can also confirm that the allegations were confirmed to be true and correct. I confirm this as particular individuals who now hold high office in the party on a regular basis provided a regular supply of Venezuelan and Colombian prostitutes to persons within and without the party. I, myself, was approached on several occasions to utilise this service all of which I refused.
“No action was, however, taken against those who were found to be involved in the criminal activity as they were all close to the political leadership,” Maharaj claimed.
UNC PRO Kirk Meighoo
On Friday, in response to questions by Opposition MP Rodney Charles, Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley claimed that a 2022 United States Report on Human Trafficking found that current Members of Parliament were involved in the trade.
He, however, claimed that no one identified in the report was from the PNM.
In March 2012, a local newspaper claimed that the Transport Minister at the time, Devant Maharaj, was investigating an alleged sex ring that was operating out of the facilities of the Public Transport Services Corporation, PTSC.
Commenting further on the state of the Opposition, Maharaj said he found it offensive, vulgar and obscene that a political party headed by a woman provides a haven for individuals who peddle illegal acts.
He claimed that party members remain silent on the issue because they are all hopeful of being elected to political office one day.
In response to Maharaj’s claims, UNC’s Public Relations Officer Kirk Meighoo said he knows nothing of an internal investigation by the party into allegations of human trafficking.
“If he has any information he should really take it to the police, rather than try to make some bacchanal with it. I know nothing of what he’s talking about. It just sounds like his normal mischief and so forth. It’s really part of his demented personality...” Meighoo said.