Samuel Weekes, of Duke street, Port of Spain, was remanded into custody after appearing before the Chaguanas Magistrate Court, facing a series of charges including human trafficking, rape and being a gang leader.

The charges were laid based on an ongoing human trafficking investigation, where 27 Latin American women were rescued on 31st December 2021 on an operation conducted by police and Immigration Officers, the members of the Special Investigations Task Force (SITF) of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), under ACP Deosaran of the Central Intelligence Bureau, recorded statements and conducted intense and meticulous enquiries.

Weekes had been arrested by officers of the Special Investigations Unit at the Piarco International Airport, while allegedly attempting to board a Copa Flight to Panama destined for Colombia. He will reappear in court next Monday.