Eleven Arrested During Rescue Of Kidnapped Businesswoman Tara Poliah
Eleven persons were arrested in connection with the abduction of 73-year-old businesswoman Tara Poliah.
Ms Poliah was abducted from her San Juan home on Wednesday night and was safely rescued within hours following a multi-agency operation.
Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro confirmed Ms Poliah’s rescue, noting that she was found on a vessel intercepted by the T&T Coast Guard at around 11:59pm on Wednesday, one nautical mile north-northwest of Corozal, as her captors attempted to transport her to Venezuela.
A media release from the TTPS noted that eight persons were arrested on the vessel, comprising six male Venezuelan nationals and two male Trinidad and Tobago nationals. Two male and one female suspects were also held at Tyrico Bay in connection with the kidnapping.
The Commissioner confirmed that Ms. Poliah was unharmed and reported to be in good health.
He said “Around midnight, the kidnappers placed the victim aboard a vessel in an attempt to take her to Venezuela, but this vessel was intercepted by members of the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard. Seven suspects – six Venezuelan nationals and one Trinidadian – were arrested, and Miss Poliah was rescued safely and is in good health. The TTPS understands the concern that incidents of this nature create, and I want to reassure the national community that your police service is vigilant, coordinated, and fully capable of responding to serious threats.”
Commissioner Guevarro praised the multi-agency operation.
“I want to reassure you that our Intelligence and Operational Units have been actively monitoring cross-border criminal activity, and I want to state that this operation represents a major breakthrough in dismantling an organised criminal network that was hell-bent on carrying out cross-border kidnappings. The speed, precision, and professionalism displayed in this rescue demonstrate that Trinidad and Tobago’s law enforcement agencies are prepared, united, and resolute in protecting our citizens.”
