PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) — Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has issued a warning to persons residing in the wealthy areas mainly in the west of Trinidad and Tobago that they “will be prosecuted in the same manner as any other citizen” as she confirmed that the existing state of emergency (SOE) “is coming to the end of its authorised period”.

In a statement posted on her social media pages, Persad-Bissessar said that over the last three decades, “our country went from a place of peace to a lawless dump because some citizens believe that there are no consequences for bad behaviour”.

“This occurred because of a two-tiered justice system where the average citizen was subjected to the heavy hand of the law, while the eat-a-food fake elite and politically connected received special privileges and treatment.”

Persad-Bissessar said that she is working “to bring those days to an end” and that “everyone must now bear personal responsibility for their individual behaviour”.

“My Government is working with foreign law enforcement authorities and local law enforcement to ensure that the local drug mafia and those who believe they are untouchable because of their ill-gotten wealth will be prosecuted in the same manner as any other citizen.

“The filthy, greedy Westmoorings, St Clair and Federation Park gangs who flood our country with illegal drugs and firearms that kill our children will be treated the same as any other gangs from Siparia, Arima or Laventille.”

She said that criminals, their supporters and their families must understand that if they continue terrorising law-abiding citizens, her administration “will continue to take harsh and brutal measures against them”.

“Negotiating with or placating criminals only emboldens them to continue their criminal activities,” she said, adding “despite the end of the SOE, I remind you all that the cells at Teteron and MSP await you if your criminal behaviour continues”.

Several people detained who spent several weeks in prison on a Preventive Detention Order (PDO) issued during the SOE that is due to expire later this week, are being released.

Among them is 69-year-old businesswoman Star Sabga, whose attorney and former attorney general Faris Al-Rawi, confirmed that she has been released from detention last week.

Sabga, 69, along with her niece, Genevieve and her businessman husband, Dominic Hadeed, the managing director of Blue Waters Products Limited, were detained in connection with an alleged plot to murder government officials, including the prime minister. All three were placed under PDOs at the Golden Grove Prison in Arouca, along the east-west corridor, on June 27.

The Hadeeds were released on July 23 after Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander revoked their PDOs. Sabga remained under house arrest from July 27 until her release on Thursday last week.

In her statement, Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar said that in the interest of transparency and accountability, she has taken the decision, on the advice of the attorney general, to declassify and release a report provided to her “showing the results of the wider actions pursued by the protective services to reduce crime and criminality”.

“These wider actions were carried out simultaneously during the SOE period while the main threat was being addressed,” she added thanking “all the brave men and women of our protective services who work long hours to protect this country”.

“I also thank the law-abiding citizens who supported lawful operations, provided information, endured inconvenience and continued to believe that Trinidad and Tobago can be safer.”

Over the weekend, Alexander said that the Government is moving to revive legislation for zones of special operations (ZOSOs), just months after its previous attempt to pass the controversial crime-fighting measure failed.

Alexander told Parliament that the legislation would form part of its strategy to tackle crime and that the ZOSOs would combine security operations with community development in designated areas, providing what he described as “special measures to uphold the rule of law, public order, citizens’ security and public safety”.

The Government’s move follows the defeat in January of the Law Reform (Zones of Special Operations) (Special Security and Community Development Measures) Bill, 2026, after it failed to secure the required three-fifths majority in the Senate. Parliament records the Bill as defeated.

The Bill had faced criticism over human rights concerns and safeguards surrounding the proposed powers. Under the Bill, the prime minister would have been able to designate communities as zones of special operations, with joint police and defence force operations permitted within those areas.

The proposed measures included warrantless searches, curfews of up to 72 hours and detention powers. The Bill also provided for a Social Committee to coordinate interventions including housing, healthcare and infrastructure.

Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles has criticised the Government’s decision to bring the legislation back, describing the move as an attempt to create a permanent expansion of state power.

In her statement, Beckles questioned whether ZOSO would become the Government’s response to crime after the SOE ends.