TTPS: Over A Dozen Venezuelans Escaped From Immigration Detention Centre; Manhunt Ongoing For 8 Men

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The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS), in collaboration with the Immigration Division and other law enforcement agencies, is actively searching for eight (8) male Venezuelan nationals who remain at large, following an escape from the Immigration Detention Centre (IDC) on Saturday (18th July, 2026).

In a Media Release today (Sunday 19th July, 2026), the TTPS said at approximately 3:40 PM on Saturday, Detention Officers on duty detected a strong smell of smoke emanating from the Male Housing Unit and proceeded to investigate. Upon entering the housing unit, the Officers were confronted by a group of detainees who assaulted and overpowered them.

During the confrontation, fourteen (14) male detainees escaped from the housing unit and fled the facility via the Western side of the compound and the Southern perimeter fence. An alarm was immediately raised, resulting in the swift response of Law Enforcement Officers.

The TTPS said four (4) escapees were recaptured within minutes, two (2) while attempting to scale the perimeter fence, and two (2) in the vicinity of the fence outside the compound. A fifth detainee, identified as Manuel Henriquez, was subsequently apprehended around 6:20 AM this morning (Sunday 19th July, 2026) by ASP Rampallard of the Air Support Unit and Officers of the Northern North Task Force, along the Eastern Main Road, Wallerfield, and was returned to the Immigration Detention Centre.

A co-ordinated search operation involving Officers of the Northern North CID, Northern North Task Force, Pinto Police Station, Malabar Police Station and Detention Officers of the Immigration Detention Centre was immediately launched and continues for the apprehension of the remaining escapees.

The ongoing operations are being spearheaded by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Suzette Martin, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Vena Butler and Superintendent Steve McKenzie, and supervised by ASP Balewa, ASP Rampallard, Inspector Mascall and Woman Inspector Ramai. Officers of the Northern North CID, Northern North Task Force, Air Support Unit, Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF), Canine Unit, Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service K-9 Unit, Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF), Special Investigations Unit (SIU), Guard and Emergency Branch (GEB), and Immigration Detention Centre continue to participate in the search efforts.

The following eight (8) detainees remain at large:

  1. Luis Brito
  2. Jose Brito
  3. Roimer Duran
  4. Edison Monroy
  5. Felix Espanol
  6. Edison La Rosa
  7. Evereth Ramirez
  8. Ernesto Jose Figuera Caicedo









(Click/Tap Images To Enlarge)

The TTPS warns that “these individuals are unlawfully at large. Anyone who knowingly harbours, conceals, transports or otherwise assists any of these escapees may be committing a criminal offence and may be liable to arrest and prosecution.”

Members of the public who have information on the whereabouts of any of these individuals are urged to contact the Police immediately by calling 999, 555, 800-TIPS, or the nearest Police Station. All information will be treated with the strictest confidence.

More on this as it becomes available.

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