Trinidad’s energy Minister Kevin Ramnarine, on Tuesday October 4, toured two fishing vessels impounded at Coast Guard Base in Staubles Bay, Chaguaramas after our Guyanese nationals and two Trinis were detained for questioning by Immigration Division officers in connection with the smuggling of a large quantity of diesel which were found in the hold of both vessels.
“It is clear that the vessel has been modified for the transportation of diesel in bulk,” Ramnarine said as he confirmed, “there was a hydro-carbon substance on- board the vessel”, which was contained in hidden compartments built into the lower deck.
The deck has been modified into storage bunkers, while the second level of the vessel has been altered to store drums containing fuel. Officials from the Caribbean Industrial Research Institute (CARIRI) yesterday collected samples of the fuel found in the bunkers on both vessels for testing.
The Guyanese men had no proper documentation to be working in TT waters. The two vessels are registered with the Ministry of Agriculture and have authority to operate within TT’s territorial seas.
The men were detained last week Thursday in the Gulf of Paria by coastguard officers. The vessels were believed to be heading to a South American destination. According to reports, CG 16 was on routine patrol in the Gulf of Paria on September 29, when at about 7.48 am, officers observed the two fishing boats, both of which were west of Point Lisas and Claxton Bay respectively.
Coast Guard Public Relations Officer, Lt Kirk Jean-Baptiste said the boats were stopped after officers “noticed the first vessel was low in the water” as if carrying cargo of great weight. Section Six of the Defence Act allows coastguard officers to stop any vessel whose activities are deemed suspicious.
Jean-Baptiste said officers became suspicious of the captain’s behaviour and a strong scent of fuel emanating from the lower levels of both vessels. Officers became even more suspicious of the lack of fishing equipment and bait on-board, after crew members claimed they were on a fishing expedition.
Officers also found trash pumps and hoses which contained a substance resembling fuel in the lines, concealed inside the bow and stern of the vessels. ustoms and Excise Comptroller, Fitzroy John said the fuel found on-board the two vessels was yet to be measured but assured that an investigation was underway.
“There is still a lot of information we need to collect and make a determination as to whether there is sufficient evidence to prosecute,” John said, adding that,“Maybe in another week or so, we should be in a position to make some final decisions.”
Asked if this latest discovery could be linked to 90,000 gallons of diesel found at Sea Lots on August 23, which it was claimed was being sold on the black market, John replied, “There is no conclusive evidence that the diesel seizure at Sea Lots is linked to this... but that (Sea Lots) investigation is nearing completion.”
Ramnarine said he had taken a note to Cabinet last Thursday in which he proposed several administrative measures to be implemented at the ministerial level to monitor the fuel subsidy which this year is in the vicinity of $4 billion. He said government will also look closely at cracking down on the illegal fuel trade.
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