Security levels at the Scarborough Port were raised to level two yesterday after a threat of a bomb came in at 7.19 am.
Speaking with the T&T Guardian under strict anonymity, a security officer said they received information that two men of East Indian descent, both heavily tattooed, were seen in a vehicle on the compound acting in a suspicious manner around that time. It was alleged these two men were in possession of an explosive device and were about to drive a vehicle onto the T&T Express with it inside.
Security officers immediately sprung into action, but the men were nowhere to be seen. Several vehicles were subsequently searched.
The Fire Service and Police Service’s Special Branch were called in and security was moved to level two, which meant no personnel or vehicles were allowed on the vessel until it is declared safe. A search exercise, spearheaded and conducted by FSO Anselm Williams, was conducted by no devices were found. The compound was declared safe at 8.25, the boarding of passengers restarted and the vessel departed Scarborough at 10.30 am.
However, the Strategic Services Agency (SSA) Fusion Centre (SSAFC) is said to be monitoring the situation at the port up to last evening.
The security officer raised concerns about security measures at the port, noting, “This is a frightening time and we have to always be one step ahead in safety and security.”
