CMC – Trinidad and Tobago’s National Security Minister, Fitzgerald Hinds confirmed on Monday that drones are being used to smuggle contraband goods into prisons.
He has since warned that the relevant authorities are moving to deal with the situation.
“The use of drones as a more recent and a more modern technology has now entered into the theatre and we are mindful of that.
We have ample evidence of the use of drones as we tighten up other areas, have scanners searching prison officers, searching persons going and patrolling around the institution,” Hinds said.
He added that the use of cameras are also being utilised to deal with the smuggling of contraband goods and persons are now using drones in a bid to beat the system.
“We are aware of it, action is being taken to deal with them,” he said, adding that the owners of these drones will be prosecuted.
“As you heard the Commissioner of Prisons report, some of them have been shot down, several of them have been confiscated and investigations in those regard are continuing. I can assure you that the government is mindful of the problem and I give you even greater assurance that action is being taken,” he continued.
“I am confident we will get on top of that…as the ongoing fight to keep contraband out of our prisons must continue.”
Last week, the Police and Prison Services said they were investigating videos that appear to show drones being used to drop contraband items into the main prison at Golden Grove in Arouca.
“There are approximately seven drones flying into the MSP (Maximum Security Prison) day and night which transport cartons of cigarettes, wrapping paper, weed, cellphones, Wi-Fi boxes and unspecified items which could be detrimental and compromise the security of the prison,” a senior prison official told a local newspaper, adding that weapons including knives and gun parts are also being smuggled in this way.
Acting Prisons Commissioner Deopersad Ramoutar, said that the video clips, which were shared on social media, had not yet been validated to determine when the incidents would have occurred.
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