A man accused of following bank customers before robbing them and two alleged gang members linked to the stabbing of a member of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force are among the latest people detained under the Emergency Powers Regulations, according to newly published Preventive Detention Orders (PDOs).
The orders, signed by Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander and published in the Trinidad and Tobago Gazette, outline intelligence and investigative information relied upon to justify the continued detention of several people alleged to be involved in organised criminal groups.
One of the more striking allegations involves Bruce Singh, also known as “Keston Singh” and “Keston Thomas”, whom the authorities identified as an active member of the Seven Gang.
According to the detention order, confidential intelligence indicates that Singh and others monitored members of the public at commercial banks before following people who had withdrawn large sums of cash and robbing them.
The order alleges Singh was “a main actor” in those activities and that he and others intended to escalate attacks on members of the public.
It says his detention was necessary to disrupt those plans and prevent conduct considered prejudicial to public safety.
In another case, Jaycee Gary Cooper, also known as “JC”, and Kern Kayron Michael James, also known as “Pimp”, were both detained over allegations they are members of the North Coast Gang, also referred to as the 6 Gang or ABG.
According to the Gazette, the group has access to firearms and ammunition and has allegedly been involved in home invasions, shootings into residential homes and violent assaults.
The detention orders also allege the group was involved in the stabbing of a member of the Defence Force, causing life-threatening injuries and intended to escalate attacks using firearms against residences in the Blanchisseuse district and surrounding communities.
James is further accused of being a shooter for the gang.
Another detention order targets Jamal Quacy Hinds, also known as “Jam-Rock”, who investigators identified as the alleged second-in-command of the R-Gang operating in south Trinidad, particularly in the La Romaine district.
According to the order, Hinds managed street-level narcotics operations on behalf of the gang’s leader, supervised operatives at the Ethel Street drug block and participated in the trafficking of narcotics and firearms while moving between multiple addresses to avoid detection.
The Gazette also includes an order for Margaret Castillo, also known as “Magpie”, whom investigators alleged supported the Under No Order (UNO) Gang.
According to the detention order, intelligence, surveillance and investigative evidence indicated she used her home and mini mart in Arima as a base for gang meetings, drug trafficking and the storage of illegal firearms. Authorities also alleged she facilitated communication between incarcerated gang leaders and members involved in further acts of violence.
Additional orders were issued for Sebastian, also known by several aliases including “Billy”, “Bill” and “Willbo”, and Terrance Singh, who were identified as alleged members of an informal criminal group accused of housebreakings, armed robberies, narcotics and firearm trafficking, witness intimidation and shootings.
Another order was issued for Kendon Silverthorn, also known as “Ratman”, whom investigators alleged was involved in planned armed robberies and home invasions in Moruga and St Mary’s.
The detention order also refers to his alleged possession of an apparent firearm, ammunition and cannabis.
Kyle Hazel, also known as “Pa” and “Grandpa”, was also detained after investigators alleged he was a shooter and faction leader within the 7 Gang and had recently acquired firearms and ammunition for planned robberies and attacks on rivals.
