Trinidad forms part of the Caribbean narco highway, which is used to smuggle drugs north, usually destined for Europe and the Middle East – and Trinidadian fishermen do play a role.

“Because of the small distance between Trinidad and Venezuela, Trinidadians are frequently facilitating trafficking of individuals, humans, arms and drugs,” Michal Pawinski, the professor of international relations at the University of West Indies, said.

He added: “The fact is that a lot of fishermen are involved in drug trafficking. I cannot say whether this one was involved or not, of course, but a lot of fishermen are involved in trafficking activities.”

 "The state of emergency will only mask the symptoms, reducing the crime rate in the country for a while," asserts Michal Pawinski, a lecturer in international relations at the University of the West Indies (UWI) and a member of the Caribbean Policy Consortium. In his view, the lack of a long-term strategy—particularly one that addresses socioeconomic factors—does little to encourage young people to turn their backs on gangs. "We need a holistic approach to crime," argues Malisa Neptune-Figaro, a research professor in criminology and behavioral sciences at the same university. She calls on the Trinidadian authorities "not to focus solely on repression."