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FBI sets up permanent base in Trinidad and Tobago

by Marcia Braveboy

Friday, August 20, 2004

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad: What is referred to as a Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) attaché is now in the twin island republic of Trinidad and Tobago setting up a permanent base to investigate the possibilities of an Al Qaeda terrorist residing in the country.

The US specialist agent of the FBI, Dennis Pierce, believes that one of the most wanted Al Qaeda terrorists, Adnan El Shukrijumah, is living in Trinidad and may be seeking to scheme his way into the United States on a Trinidadian passport.

The Saudi Arabian-born terrorist, who is 29 years of age, is reckoned to be one of the most dangerous Al Qaeda terrorists. The FBI agent is already sorting out the details within the US embassy in the capital city of Port of Spain so as to start operating within that compound during the month of August.

The office will be a sub-office of the FBI’s main regional base in Caracas, Venezuela; and will extend its services to Suriname and Guyana as two other prospective countries where Al Qaeda terrorist Adnan EI Shukrijumah is believed to be hiding from the FBI.

For the moment, Minister of National Security Martin Joseph and Commissioner of Police Trevor Paul have denied having any knowledge whatsoever of the FBI’s presence; but the FBI have indicated that they will be helping law enforcement agencies to better fight crime and terrorism.

Another aspect of the FBI’s strategic plan is to exchange information pertinent to criminal activity between Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname and Guyana.

Meanwhile an alert has been raised that the wanted Al Qaeda terrorist might be seeking to also enter Mexico from Guyana either on a Canadian, Saudi Arabian or Trinidadian passport.

In related news, the Commissioner of Police has cancelled the vacation leave of all senior and constable officers. Commissioner Paul confirmed that the call is not linked to the FBI set up in Trinidad and Tobago, but is geared towards dealing with the domestic crime crisis.

He said the outcry from the public to arrest the crime situation is so loud that he had no choice but to pool all the resources within his reach to help do so. “One way that I can improve on what I am doing is having more resources available to me,” said Commissioner Paul.

He made it clear that there are no exclusions; all senior and junior officers must report to the respective authorities on Monday “to see how we can serve the public better, and hope that it would impact positively in our fight against crime,” Paul remarked.

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