Security at Piarco International Airport in Trinidad has been significantly strengthened with the deployment of heavily armed tactical police units and sniffer dogs, in a move aimed at preventing criminal activity and safeguarding one of the country’s most vital transit hubs.
The initiative was officially launched on Tuesday afternoon at the airport’s VIP Lounge, where Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro outlined the importance of the new security measures.
“To those who believe they can test the seams of the system, know this: we are not reactive… we are ready,” Guevarro stated, adding that this deployment is just the beginning of a broader strategy to bolster public safety nationwide.
The Commissioner pointed to recent incidents at or near the airport, including the murder of Arkin Quashie in April and the armed robbery of the Pita Pit outlet in June, as justification for the elevated response. He described the use of 30 rounds of ammunition in the Quashie case as evidence of the extreme threat level faced by law enforcement.
“We recognise it was 30 spent shells—that is a lot of firepower to use against one man,” Guevarro said. “So we have trained officers from the tactical units on the ground to ably assist the estate police.”
The tactical officers will be drawn from the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF), which is trained to respond to high-threat environments. The Commissioner declined to reveal the exact number of officers deployed for operational security reasons, but noted that both uniformed and plainclothes officers will be active throughout the facility.
When asked whether the new officers would duplicate the functions of estate constables already stationed at Piarco, Guevarro clarified that the deployment is intended to support and enhance existing security mechanisms, not replace them.
“This is the international aviation gateway to our shores, and if we cannot protect the sanctity of this space, then we would have failed,” he said.
The Commissioner also dismissed concerns about criminals using the airport as an escape route. Referring to the May 2024 arrest of a quadruple murder suspect attempting to flee to New York, he said the incident proved the efficacy of current systems.
“The last person who tried it was caught, and he was caught because the systems we have in place at the airport work,” Guevarro noted.
In addition to the tactical team, officers from the North-Central Division will continue supporting operations at the airport through visible patrols and undercover monitoring.
Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander, who attended the launch, said the move was not only about deterrence, but also about reaffirming state control.
“When we show the kind of safety and security we have at our international airport, it means that this country is well-prepared to take care of its citizens and visitors,” he said. “This is about sending a clear message to the criminal element—enough is enough.”
The enhanced security presence at Piarco International Airport is part of a broader law enforcement strategy being rolled out under Commissioner Guevarro’s leadership, with the aim of creating safer public spaces across Trinidad and Tobago.
