(Trinidad Guardian) Gun and drug smugglers beware! Surveillance equipment meant to guard the nation’s borders that have been not functioning for the last three years is now being repaired and upgraded. Among them is the 360-degree coastal radar system that formed a major part of the former administration’s crime initiative plan.
Sunday Guardian learnt that the move forms part of National Security Minister Jack Warner’s new crime plan that is expected to be rolled out in the next two weeks. The radar system was set up at strategic points along the coastal areas to monitor vessels moving in and out of T&T waters.
However, several points along the coast have been under threat due to the malfunctioning of the radars. These have been identified as major points of entry for the smuggling of drugs, guns and illegal immigrants. Checks revealed that up until last week the surveillance equipment located at San Fernando Hill, Toco, Moruga and Charlotteville in Tobago was not functioning.
In several of the areas the weather-beaten multi-million dollar equipment was covered in rust, while in Cedros the surveillance equipment has been removed. And while communications specialist Kirk Jean Baptiste of the T&T Coast Guard assured that daily patrols are conducted to monitor activity in the “waters,” Sunday Guardian learnt that the patrols have failed to track the entering of all vessels into the country.
“We are seeing all kinds of things happening in this area but people are afraid to talk. We are seeing boats coming and dropping off things and then speeding off,” a Cedros fisherman told Sunday Guardian under the condition of anonymity. Warner yesterday confirmed to Sunday Guardian that the surveillance equipment meant to monitor movement along the borders had stalled and were not functioning as expected.
The minister said he met with officials of the National Security Operations Centre on Friday and instructed that the borders needed to be secured. “I have been advised that as we speak, the surveillance is being repaired throughout the country. I expect the radar system to be functioning properly within the next ten days as we move to crack down on all illegal activity.” Warner said that he has also instructed all security cameras throughout T&T to be repaired.
