Caption: From left Minister of National Security Fitzgerald Hinds, United States Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago Candace Bond and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Caribbean Division Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Denise Foster at the formal signing of the MOU for the establishment of a Vetted Unit in the TTPS. Photo: US Embassy
OFFICIALS from the United States and Trinidad and Tobago signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at enhancing law enforcement collaboration in the fight against transnational crime.
The agreement establishes a specialised “Vetted Unit” within the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service, designed to strengthen the country’s ability to investigate and prosecute criminal organisations that threaten regional stability.
The Vetted Unit will undergo specialised training to effectively partner with U.S. law enforcement agencies, enabling them to identify targets, collect evidence, and share intelligence. This initiative is expected to facilitate prosecutions in both U.S. courts and Trinidadian courts, bolstering the legal framework necessary to combat organized crime.
The signing took place at the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service’s Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU), with key figures present, including U.S. Ambassador Candace Bond, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Caribbean Division Denise Foster, and Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of National Security Fitzgerald Hinds.
Ambassador Bond said, “This MOU embodies the collaboration between the U.S. embassy and the government of Trinidad and Tobago. The United States’ assistance in establishing this vetted unit will empower local law enforcement to work alongside U.S. agencies with greater professionalism and expertise.”
DEA Special Agent Foster echoed these sentiments, highlighting the mutual respect inherent in the agreement. “This MOU reflects a deep commitment to enhancing Trinidad and Tobago’s law enforcement capabilities,” she said. “Our partnership is rooted in trust and a shared vision for a safer Caribbean, as we tackle complex challenges together.”
Hinds expressed gratitude to the United States for its ongoing support, noting the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing transnational organised crime.
“This collaboration underscores the significant value we place on enhanced security and operational effectiveness,” he remarked. “It requires a united approach that leverages the strengths of both the Ministry of National Security and the DEA.”
The MOU stems from discussions initiated during U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to Port of Spain in July 2023 and further engagements between Prime Minister Keith Rowley and U.S. officials in January 2024.
