PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad--The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) on Thursday revealed it had disrupted a threat to disrupt Carnival activities mere days before the festival.
Senior members of the TTPS held a high-powered meeting at Police Administration Building Thursday, after several suspects were detained in connection with the plot. Hours later, at an urgent media briefing, TTPS Public Information Officer Corporal Michael Jackman confirmed the detained people were being interviewed and the police were still pursuing other leads.
“The TTPS has unearthed credible information of a threat to disrupt Carnival activities,” he said.
He said even prior to this the TTPS had implemented security measures to provide for the safety and security of residents and visitors for Carnival.
“TTPS will continue, in collaboration with the T&T [Trinidad and Tobago – Ed.] Defence Force, to ensure that persons enjoy Carnival 2018 in a safe and secure environment,” he said.
Jackman, however, refused to comment on what the threats were and whether they were terrorist related.
“The information received is going through intelligence gathering, the TTPS revealed it was a plan to disrupt the Carnival actives, intelligence agencies were active and vigilant and the discovery was made,” he said, confirming only that the individuals involved planned to engage in criminal conduct to disrupt the actives surrounding Carnival.
Jackman still urged the public to remain alert and use safety tips during the Carnival season.
However, senior police officers confirmed several of the men were held at a mosque in the El Socorro, San Juan area. Sources also said police went to a mosque in Chaguanas and searched several members of the Muslim community. ~ Trinidad and Tobago Guardian ~
