Recent developments in Trinidad & Tobago concerning the detention of top members of the elite families that control a large portion of the Business community in the twin island republic should attract Grenadian authorities.
The most damning allegations are plots to assassinate top government officials in Port-of-Spain and the financing of the Criminal Gangs and in particular the outfit known as The Seven.
THE NEW TODAY understands that in some quarters in Trinidad & Tobago the feeling is that these Detention Orders could be politically motivated on allegations that those now in custody are major financiers of the opposition People’s National Movement (PNM).
It is also well-known that the ruling United National Congress (UNC) of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is financed by other segments of the business community in Port-of-Spain.
However, the politics aside in our neighbor, Grenada should be more concerned about that aspect of the reports coming out which mentions the financing of Criminal Gangs.
In recent months, the spate of shootings in Grenada had links to the Trini gang warfare between the Seven and the Sixx.
Elements in the local Underworld know that some of the criminal elements in Trinidad would move out to Grenada or St Vincent & The Grenadines “to lay low” when things get “too hot” down there especially when the Police are on the lookout for them.
Credible evidence points in the direction of some locals who provide safe-haven for the out-of-town criminals in the form of housing, food and providing call girls to satisfy their sexual pleasure.
The hot spots areas in the Town of St George and outer parishes especially St Andrew and St Patrick have pockets of elements who “feed” from those bad apples in TNT.
There are also a few prominent persons in Grenada who have direct links to the illegal drug trade on the island, especially the movement of Cocaine from Colombia and Venezuela, up into the U.S and British Virgin Islands with the final destination being the lucrative U.S market.
Grenada has been fortunate that it has not witnessed the kind of daily killings in Trinidad & Tobago linked to the drug trade.
It is against this background that our people out of love for the country and having a peaceful atmosphere in the country should always be on guard and report all suspicious activities seen in their communities.
The country still has a lot of good people who are still “the ears and eyes” of the nation and will bring to the attention of the authorities persons who are suspected to be engaged in illegal activities and wrongdoing on the island.
THE NEW TODAY would also like to make some passing comments on the ongoing matches in this year’s Football World Cup taking place in the U.S, Canada and Mexico.
The results of several of the games show that there is a narrowing of the gap between the European power houses of the sport and countries especially in Africa, Asia and some parts of the Americas.
It was unthinkable that 15 and 20 years ago that football nations like Germany and The Netherlands would be knocked out in the first round of the Knock-out stage of the competition.
Even five-time World Cup winner Brazil was on the verge of losing its opening game against Morocco, the African champions.
Those who have been watching the games will have to admit that Morrocco is one of the most dangerous teams in the tournament and most nations would prefer to avoid meeting them at this stage of the competition.
Africa will one day win the World Cup but some of the teams have to be more disciplined and develop the “killer approach” against opponents.
Senegal was five minutes away from going into the last 16 of the competition and allowed its 2-goal advantage to disappear and in the end to lose the game 3-2 against Belgium.
It was sad to see the footballers from Senegal “shutting up shop” and paying a heavy price in a late surge from their opponents.
The African countries have to develop the mentality and discipline of football power houses like France, Spain and Portugal that will continue to torment opponents until the final whistle is blown by the Referee to signal the end of the game.
The verdict is still out as to which of the two teams will line up on Sunday, July 19 at the New York/New Jersey stadium to battle for the first prize on offer of US$50 million.