TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO | Police Commissioner Behind Bars: Top Cop Linked to Illegal Sniper Rifle Probe

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago, January 30, 2025 - In a stunning development that has rocked Trinidad and Tobago's security establishment, Police Commissioner Erla Harewood-Christopher was arrested today in connection with an investigation into the illegal importation of military-grade sniper rifles.

The arrest, which occurred at the Police Administration Building in Port of Spain, marks an unprecedented crisis in the nation's law enforcement leadership.

The high-profile detention comes on the heels of another major arrest in the case - former Strategic Services Agency (SSA) director Major Roger Best, who was taken into custody at his Arima home late yesterday.

Both arrests are part of a sweeping investigation into the unauthorized acquisition of two Accuracy International AX bolt action sniper rifles.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Suzette Martin is spearheading the investigation, which focuses on key officials who greenlit the weapons' importation.

The probe has already revealed that while the rifles entered the country through proper channels with valid import permits, their procurement wasn't authorized through appropriate channels.

When contacted about these developments, Joanne Archie, the police service's corporate communications manager, maintained a tight-lipped stance, stating, "I don't have any information." Meanwhile, the police service executive has convened an emergency meeting to address the unfolding crisis.

The arrest of Best, occurring shortly after 9 pm on January 29, involved a meticulously planned operation. Acting Sergeant Lawrence Joefield led a team armed with comprehensive search warrants, targeting electronic evidence including cellphones, emails, computers, and CCTV footage at Best's Olton Road residence.

The scope of the warrant suggests investigators are casting a wide net to uncover potential communications related to the weapons' procurement.

This incident marks the latest chapter in Best's tumultuous relationship with law enforcement. His termination as SSA director in March 2024 came amid explosive allegations from Prime Minister Dr. Rowley, who accused Best's administration of orchestrating a plot to overthrow the government.

The Prime Minister specifically pointed to connections between SSA operatives and the Jerusalem Bride Church as evidence of an alleged criminal conspiracy.

The leadership vacuum at the SSA was swiftly filled by retired Brigadier General Anthony Phillips-Spencer, who was recalled from his diplomatic post as Trinidad and Tobago's ambassador to Washington to serve as acting director.

His appointment triggered a broader purge within the elite spy agency, resulting in multiple terminations.

Best's current arrest isn't his first brush with weapons-related charges. In May 2024, he and three others faced accusations of illegally transferring prohibited weapons from the disbanded Special Operations Response Team to the SSA. While his co-accused were charged,

Best avoided prosecution following consultations between police and Director of Public Prosecutions Roger Gaspard.

These latest arrests represent an unprecedented crisis in Trinidad and Tobago's security apparatus, with both its top police official and former intelligence chief now embroiled in a weapons scandal.

The case has raised serious questions about oversight and accountability within the nation's highest security institutions, particularly regarding the procurement and transfer of military-grade weapons.

The investigation's focus on sniper rifles – weapons typically reserved for specialized military and law enforcement operations – adds another layer of concern to a series of security-related controversies that have plagued the nation since early 2024.

The alleged connection between unauthorized weapons acquisitions and earlier claims of a potential government overthrow plot has heightened anxieties about the integrity of national security operations.

With Commissioner Harewood-Christopher's arrest coming just months after Best's dismissal and the subsequent restructuring of the SSA, the country's security infrastructure faces its most significant challenge in recent memory.

The involvement of multiple high-ranking officials suggests a potential systemic issue in weapons procurement protocols and oversight mechanisms within Trinidad and Tobago's security forces.

As this investigation unfolds, it may trigger broader reforms in how security agencies handle weapons acquisitions and intersect with private arms dealers.

The case also highlights the critical role of internal oversight and the importance of maintaining clear chains of command in sensitive security operations.

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