LESS ILLEGAL DRUGS TO T&T DUE TO U.S STRIKES

CCNTV6

The Prime Minister tells TV6 news the recent U.S military strikes on what the US says are boats being used by NARCO traffickers in the region has definitely resulted in a reduction in illegal narcotics being trafficked to this country.  And the Prime Minister says one result is an increase in the prices of two illegal drugs in particular.  Juhel Browne reports.

Transcript

00:00The Prime Minister tells TV6 News the recent U.S. military strikes on what the U.S. says are boats being used by narco-traffickers in the region

00:08has definitely resulted in a reduction in illegal narcotics being trafficked to this country.

00:15And the Prime Minister says one result is an increase in the prices of two illegal drugs in particular.

00:21Jewel Brown reports.

00:23Following the latest lethal kinetic strike by the U.S. on a boat in the Caribbean as part of what the U.S. says is its worn drug cartels,

00:31TV6 News sent a question to Prime Minister Kamala Passat-Bassessor to find out if such military action has resulted in a major reduction

00:38in the amount of illegal drugs entering Trinidad and Tobago.

00:42Prime Minister Passat-Bassessor told TV6 News quote,

00:44Yes, there definitely has been a reduction and this is evidenced by an increase in ganja and cocaine prices on the streets.

00:52By the way, fish prices remain the same, so clearly fishermen are still out in the sea working despite all the misinformation, end quote.

01:03CNN reported that as of Sunday, the U.S. military had killed 64 people in 15 strikes that destroyed 16 boats

01:11as part of a campaign that Washington says is aimed at curtailing the flow of drugs into the United States.

01:19Prime Minister Passat-Bassessor who chairs the National Security Council of Trinidad and Tobago

01:23also provided information she received from the National Security Apparatus which noted, quote,

01:29An integrated assessment conducted by our National Intelligence Agencies, including the Strategic Services Agency, the SSA,

01:37as well as the Central Intelligence Bureau, the CIB, and the Special Branch of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service

01:44has confirmed that recent U.S. military strikes targeting narco-terrorist maritime operations

01:50have had a measurable impact on the flow of illegal narcotics into Trinidad and Tobago.

01:56The Prime Minister continued to refer to the information provided by National Security

02:01which said that intelligence indicates a current shortage of illicit drugs,

02:05particularly those trafficked from Venezuela and Colombia,

02:09and that this disruption has directly affected the availability of narcotics on Trinidad and Tobago's shores

02:15and has prompted organized crime groups to recalibrate the operations.

02:21Additional information provided by National Security to the Prime Minister stated that

02:24one emerging trend is the pursuit by criminal networks of local marijuana cultivation

02:30with hybrid seed varieties being actively sought.

02:34The assessment provided to the Prime Minister as part of the response to TV6 News has stated, quote,

02:39The economic impact is evident as the wholesale price of cocaine has surged by approximately 55 percent

02:46from U.S. $4,500 to U.S. $7,000, while marijuana has seen a 33 percent increase

02:54from U.S. $1,500 to U.S. $2,000.

02:58These price hikes reflect the elevated risk borne by transporters and the constrained supply environment,

03:05reshaping trafficking logistics and forcing organized crime groups to reconsider their operational models, end quote.

03:13The Prime Minister has also been advised that since the targeting of drug boats,

03:17Trinidad and Tobago's national security apparatus have increased their interdiction efforts.

03:22The Prime Minister was informed that from September 2nd to present,

03:26operations by the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard and the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service

03:30resulted in a seizure of 1,806.01 kilograms of creepy marijuana,

03:37117.14 kilograms of cocaine,

03:42with a total estimated street value of $361.488 million TT dollars,

03:49and three persons were arrested and warrants were taken out for others.

03:55Jewel Brown, TV6 News.

03:57The TV6 People Meter, brought to you by XL Health TT,

04:01the official supplements of the CPS.

04:06Tonight we're asking you,

04:07are you convinced that this country is reaping the benefits of the U.S. strikes on suspected drug boats?

04:14To vote, text yes or no to the number 766-4886 or 766-4TV6.

04:20We'll have the results for you at the end of this newscast.

04:23Still to come into the newscast.

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