EXTORTIONS from the business community are on a continuous rise in Trinidad and Tobago.
Demanding money by menace is now commonplace throughout the country, especially in outlying business districts like Chaguanas, Couva, Sangre Grande, Penal, Fyzabad, San Juan, and Princes Town.
The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) has picked up some suspicious bank deposits, but the criminal offence is much more widespread, according to knowledgeable people in the business community.
The incidence of the crime has increased, the business sources said, in spite of National Security Minister Fitzgerald Hinds’ assurance last month that the police service is addressing the “most serious criminal offence.”
Hinds said that “covert and overt initiatives” by the police “are aimed at investigating, suppressing, and ultimately eradicating this kind of offence.”
Several leaders in the small and medium-sized business sector pay monthly “tax” to criminals or face the risk of being murdered and their operations destroyed.
Chaguanas businessman Rishi Singh was murdered in February after he refused to pay “tax” to gangsters.
Certain other serious crimes have been linked to extortion.
In one sample matter, a businessman avoided criminals who visited his business place, and they eventually left a threatening message with his workers.
They said they knew his family’s whereabouts and would burn down his enterprise if he did not pay up.
One businessman said he and others in his district “operate in fear,” adding: “We feel we have no one to turn to since we can’t trust the police.”
Couva South Member of Parliament Rudy Indarsingh said last week that extortions “have now reached the chilling events of firebombing and arson.”
Indarsingh said that businessmen are being sent pictures of their respective homes, families, children, vehicles and other domestic matters to indicate that the extortionists are aware of their family affairs.
The parliamentarian said extortions are now “part of the business landscape.”
He stated that certain business people informed him that if they do not pay up, “they won’t be able to conduct their business.”
Indarsingh confirmed what was reported by business sources: Extortion victims are afraid to lodge reports with the police.
“They feel by the time they leave the precincts of the respective police stations, underworld elements will be privy to their reports,” the MP said.
Oropouche East MP Dr. Roodal Moonilal said that “business leaders are reporting that some extortionists are demanding up to $30,000 a month in exchange for protection.”
Moonilal repeated an earlier call for an Extortion Unit in the Police Service.
He recommended the assignment of police officers with specialised training with gangs, setting up sting operations, and related matters.
Hinds said the offence is among those listed under the Anti-Gang Act.
He stated that the police service is aware of the “trauma” experienced by victims.
Along with extortions, small and medium-sized businesses face routine attacks by armed criminals and increasing operating costs from security systems and officers.
Business leaders said that several operations have closed as a result of criminal attacks or fear for the welfare of family members.
