The Trinidad and Tobago Regiment (TTR)says there are safeguards in place to keep its ammunition from falling into the hands of criminal elements.
The regiment made the statement yesterday, after it was revealed shells bearing the initials TTR had been found by police on at least three crime scenes for the month of December so far.
In a release, the regiment said it was aware of “ammunition bearing markings similar to the ammunition authorised for Regiment use only.”
It said it will work tirelessly with the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) to find the culprits using the ammunition in illegal activity.
The regiment said it intends to continue to provide full cooperation “into the verification and investigation of this serious matter.”
Based on the outcome of the review, the regiment said, “Necessary military disciplinary actions will be instituted to address any contraventions of criminal law.”
The matter was raised yesterday by UNC Senator Wade Mark, who wanted to know if “criminals” are being recruited into the T&T Regiment.
Mark raised the question at yesterday’s UNC media briefing at the Office of the Opposition Leader, as he queried the discovery of Regiment ammunition at crime scenes.
UNC MP Dinesh Rambally said nothing was heard from the TTPS on the discovery of Regiment-marked spent shells at some incidents.
Mark said it was disturbing and dangerous, especially since taxpayers’ money was used to purchase ammunition for the T&T Defence Force and that ammunition could end up being used in the murders of citizens.
He said National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds must ascertain how the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF) ammunition can find its way into criminals’ hands to murder people.
He added, “Are we recruiting criminals in the T&T Regiment? I read over the last two years also where Regiment personnel were accused and charged—the Pennywise issue comes to mind, and that there are people in the army that found their way into the ‘ranks’ and there appears to be some collusion with the criminal elements. The TTDF and TTPS are to protect and serve and not to be renting or selling guns and ammunition to killers!”
UNC deputy leader Roodal Moonilal said they obtained information from the TTPS that a total of 108 legal firearms were “misplaced, stolen, neglected or otherwise reported” to the TTPS over 2017-2021.
Moonilal rebuked Government statements giving the impression the 108 firearms were used for crime.
He also said he felt the TTPS was counting backward with the year’s murder toll numbers and “hoping it would hold at 599” on Old Year’s Night.”
But it’s still T&T’s highest,” he said.
He said in 2023 he’ll be talking about the TTPS vehicle supply being back to “square one” after new ones were obtained—but 150 were sent to the “graveyard.”