Ambassador Joseph Mondello confirmed increased funding will be provided to Trinidad and Tobago under the International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement (INL) program in the sum of U.S. $700,000 when he met with Minister of National Security Stuart Young earlier this week. The United States also donated two full body scanners for use at Piarco International Airport to enhance security efforts.
The funding will be provided under the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI), which supports programs to reduce illicit trafficking, increase citizen security, and promote crime prevention with CARICOM member states. CBSI programs complement the security pillar of the U.S. – Caribbean 2020 Strategy.
Funds will be used to enhance existing programs, including training to develop and enhance law enforcement professionals in the investigation and prosecution of crimes involving narcotics, firearms, gangs, homicides, terrorism, and financial transactions. The initiative will also promote coordination at the working level across the criminal justice sector and related institutions to harmonize policies, procedures, and systems, and increase port security and maritime interdiction capability through technical support, technology upgrades, and training, among other areas