Venezuelans Escape From Immigration Detention Center in Trinidad and Tobago

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) is warning persons against harbouring eight Venezuelan nationals,  who remain at large following an escape from the Immigration Detention Centre (IDC) last Saturday.

“The TTPS warns that these individuals are unlawfully at large. Anyone who knowingly harbours, conceals, transports or otherwise assists any of these escapees may be committing a criminal offence and may be liable to arrest and prosecution,” the police said in a statement, urging anyone with information on their whereabouts to contact them.

According to the TTPS,  detention officers on duty detected a strong smell of smoke emanating from the Male Housing Unit and proceeded to investigate and upon entering the housing unit, the officers were confronted by a group of detainees who “assaulted and overpowered them.

“During the confrontation, 14 male detainees escaped from the housing unit and fled the facility via the western side of the compound and the southern perimeter fence. An alarm was immediately raised, resulting in the swift response of law enforcement officers.”

The police said four escapees were recaptured within minutes and a fifth detainee was subsequently apprehended. They said a coordinated search operation was immediately launched and continues for the apprehension of the remaining escapees.

The poloce have named those at large as Luis Brito, Jose Brito, Roimer Duran, Edison Monroy, Felix Espanol, Edison La Rosa, Evereth Ramirez and Ernesto Jose Figuera Caicedo.