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The gangs being targeted are the G-Unit, the Gambinos, the Sandy, Dufu, Nelson Street, Beverly Hills, John John, Duke Street, Mango Rose, Desperlie Crescent, Africa, Quarry Street, Harpe Place and Trou Macaque.
Sources believe the gang leaders may be “losing business” due to the upsurge in violence in Laventille and the deployment of police officers and soldiers to bring crime in the community under control. As a result, the criminals are seeking less secure areas to trade drugs and arms and carry out extortion activities and kidnappings. They need “quick cash” to stay “in business”, said a senior officer. “If the gang leaders are now losing business and control over drug turfs because of the heavy presence of the police and soldiers (in Laventille), they will now be forced to use other means necessary to get the money they require to fuel their drugs and gun trade,” said the source. Most of the gang leaders are in their 20s, and police suspect they are hiding in Diego Martin, Carenage, Champs Fleurs, Enterprise, Longdenville and at the Trainline in Marabella. Police report that there are 86 gangs comprising of 1,720 members which operate in Trinidad. The migration of the criminals from Laventille has raised concern among the western, southern and central police divisions, where officers are bracing for a rise in crime. Yesterday, they complained that they lacked the manpower to combat any crime upsurge and felt that although a heavy police presence is required in Laventille, the gang leaders must be flushed out before they take root in other communities. Last year, officers of the Chaguanas CID were kept busy with a spate of gang-related murders, robberies and shootings. The situation cooled down by September but between October and November, residents of Las Lomas and Brasso complained of being the targets of gangs. Violent crimes also rose in Champs Fleurs. Police records revealed the escalation in the Laventille gang wars began in the second half of 2007, following the release of several criminals from prison. The police believe the gang leaders will continue to attack each other, not in Laventille, but in vulnerable communities that are not considered crime hot spots. “It is all about business, and we the officers on the ground hope that the top brass in the service discuss the migration of these gang members seriously, before the situation gets out of control,” said a junior police officer. Deputy Police Commissioner Gilbert Reyes yesterday shied away from commenting on the report that the police are targeting the gang leaders.
“We want to deal with the situation and we are having a lot of intelligence allowing us to make some key decisions in dealing with the situation in Laventille,” Reyes said. Newsday learned that officers were given firm instructions on Monday to find the 25 gang leaders to be questioned in connection with outstanding offences including murder. On Monday, Police Commissioner Trevor Paul, Chief of Defence Staff, Colonel Edmund Dillon and Brigadier Peter Joseph, Director of the Special Anti Crime Unit of Trinidad and Tobago (SAUTT) met with National Security Minister Martin Joseph and a decision was taken to lockdown several areas in Laventille. This action was prompted by recent murders, shootings and a firebombing at Picton Road. The police exercise started around 9 pm on Monday and continued yesterday. Between Monday and Tuesday morning five persons were held and a quantity of items seized. Late Tuesday 20 persons, including three murder suspects were also detained.
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