PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) — The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) Friday said that there were a number of Venezuelan nationals being recruited by local gangs for involvement in criminal activities here.

“This is seriously going to hurt the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service in trying to maintain law and order and trying to deal with security in this country,” Police Commissioner Gary Griffith told a news conference.

“From what we have pinpointed through our intelligence, many of these individuals are entering here illegally, they do not know where they are going to work so they are being easily manipulated and lured by gang leaders to work for them,” he told reporters.

Griffith said that there’s another aspect, where other Venezuelan nationals who have been involved in criminal activities are now seeing Trinidad and Tobago as “a better option for them to be involved in criminal activity inclusive of drug dealing and gang activity.

“The result is there for a fact,” Griffith said, insisting that some of the illegal immigrants were entering the country with ill intent.

“We know that an amnesty has been given to Venezuelans who may have entered here illegally. The concern of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service is that over the last three weeks, three Venezuelan nationals have been killed.

“The reports have shown that these three Venezuelan nationals have been involved in certain questionable activities involving questionable criminal elements, especially in the Western Division and Port of Spain.

“Just last night (Thursday) two other Venezuelan nationals were also killed whilst trying to confront police officers with firearms,” he said. “As much as we are doing the charitable thing …my concern is that charity must begin at home. There’s a clear and present danger of certain Venezuelan nationals entering this country involved with one thing and one thing alone, to be involved in criminal activities,” Griffith said.

On Thursday, national Security Minister Stuart Young announced that the Trinidad and Tobago Government had agreed to open a two-week registration for Venezuelans to allow then an initial stay of six months in which they can also work in the twin island republic.

Venezuelans, who arrive here legally or illegally, will benefit from the process and Young said five registration centres will be set up with interpreters for the registration process.

He said the Venezuelans would undergo medical examinations and at the end of the six months, will have their situations evaluated before another six-month period becomes available to them.

Griffith told reporters if illegal immigrants are found to be involved in crime, they should be deported immediately.

“Individuals who entered the country illegally may have an amnesty but if, based on law enforcement intelligence, any individual who is here as an illegal immigrant and has been given an amnesty is on suspicion, based on intelligence, of that individual being involved in any questionable activity and that individual is red flagged that they be immediately deported,” Griffith said.

“The reason I am saying this is as much as have all the persons who would love to state that Jesus was a refugee and that we need to embrace everyone, the fact is I have to look after the well-being and interest of the people of Trinidad and Tobago and this situation with Venezuelan nationals coming in here with a deliberate intent to be involved in criminal activity it is unacceptable,” he said.