Five people were arrested as police busted a human trafficking and prostitution ring in Arima that involved foreign minors, among the five a police officer.
Two foreign nationals were also arrested by the Northern Division-North, Arima Criminal Investigations Department (CID) on Saturday, at the end of what the T&T Police Service called “diligent and pain-staking inquiries.”
Police reports indicate, investigations began following discoveries made during the execution of a search warrant at premises located at John Shaw Avenue, Eastern Main Road, Arima, on April 15.
While there, police say they found and rescued several foreign nationals, including minors.
All nine victims were Venezuelan nationals, two of whom were under the age of 18.
The police statement said sex paraphernalia, a quantity of condoms, a large amount of alcohol, a quantity of cash and a roulette machine were among the other items found and seized at the premises and will be used as evidence.
The property, which was being operated as a bar, was also unlicensed to sell liquor.
All five suspects are also expected to be charged with other serious offences, such as supporting a gang, trafficking in children, inciting a child to become a prostitute, arranging and facilitating the prostitution of a child and sexual penetration of a child.
According to police, three people will also be charged with being gang leaders, arising from this incident.
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