POLICE COMING FOR BLESSING CIRCLE OPERATORS

TEN PEOPLE ARRESTED IN TRINIDAD

THE DOMINICA FSU WILL SOON RUN SIMILAR STING OPERATIONS

At least ten people, including personnel from the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force, have been detained and millions of dollars recovered from what police say is an illegal pyramid scheme based in Trinidad.

Investigators told Guardian Media that the exercise, co-ordinated by Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith, ACP for Crime Jayson Forde and Sen Supt Ramkhelawan along with officers from the Special Operations Response Team(SORT) under Sgt Mark Hernandez, went to the La Horquetta apartment shortly after 10 am Tuesday.

During their search, police sources told Guardian Media that they found huge sums of money hidden in the ceiling of the apartment, as well as a nearby water tank and other areas.

"It’s a lot of money and looks like millions. The money was everywhere," one source disclosed.

Investigators also apprehended at least ten people, some of whom are serving members of the T&T Defence Force. The officers believe the cash may be related to money laundering activities by key persons held during the raid.

Guardian Media understands that the main suspect is alleged to be running the biggest "sou sou" group in the country. To join, members must allegedly pay in $10,000 to receive $56,000 in return.

A new group was started on Saturday morning and Guardian Media understands there are almost 8,000 members.

Several regulatory authorities, including the Intelligence Unit (FIU), Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago (CBTT) and the Financial System Regulatory Authorities had jointly issued an advisory urging members of the public about jointing "pyramid schemes."