The TTPS is investigating the operations conducted by a now- scrapped “Tactical Response Unit” of the Strategic Services Agency, which is believed to have been a covert effort to overthrow the government.
In a statement in the Lower House today, Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley said the SSA, under its previous head, had been found to be illegally purchasing arms and ammunition, with an audit revealing that several members of a religious cult had been employed within the agency.
Dr. Rowley said the group was arming itself while preaching a doctrine that they were the most suitable persons to replace the country’s political leadership.
“Madam Speaker, in 2017, the Agency purchased 8,000 rounds of 9-millimetre ammunition, but by 2022, the amount purchased during that year was 100,000 rounds,” the PM said as he read from a written statement.
These firearms were chronicled in the Special Operations Response Team’s Firearm register, the PM said.
Of the Tactical Response Unit he said, “It was discovered that the SSA had adopted an unapproved organizational design/structure and staffing, without the required authority of a decision, either by the Cabinet, the National Security Council or the Minister of National Security. As part of the audit review this unit was examined and abolished in March 2024.”
The PM further stated that arms and ammunition belonging to the TTPS were transferred to the SSA without authority, ostensibly for official use, by the Guard Unit of the SSA. However, the PM said investigations revealed that the “Guard Unit” at the SSA, never received the firearms and ammunition, as was declared to be the case, in the relevant documents.
Since March 4, 2024, an extensive internal review and audit of the Strategic Services Agency (SSA) has been ongoing.
Between March 4 and April 21, 2024, Planning and Preliminary Review activities were completed by the Acting SSA Director, Brigadier General (Ret’d.) Anthony W J Phillips-Spencer, who was appointed on March 2, 2024.