A day after Police Commissioner Erla Harewood-Christopher ordered a probe into human trafficking allegations surrounding a UNC parliamentarian swirling in the public domain, investigators contacted renowned human trafficking expert and migrant consultant Dr Justine Pierre to discuss the findings from his 2019 research.

The investigators are seeking information on the Cariforum/Caricom Human Trafficking research project, which identified intimate details of the massive human trafficking existing in T&T.

Speaking exclusively to Guardian Media yesterday, Dr Pierre revealed that 289 places have been mapped in Trinidad where human trafficking has been occurring since 2019. He also revealed that 39 routes have also been identified.

Dr Pierre called for a collaborative effort to be undertaken by the T&T authorities and regional law enforcement bodies to stamp out the scourge of human trafficking.

Saying international agencies were committed to providing resources, Dr Pierre said it was high time that the Commissioner of Police and citizens of T&T demand an end to human trafficking.

“We have the data, the routes, you have to get Offshore Patrol Vessels and find the traffickers,” Pierre said.

He added that the United States Embassy, Canadian High Commission, British High Commission and other international agencies were committed to the effort to stop human trafficking.

However, Pierre recommended that law enforcement bodies change their modus operandi.

“We have to focus on the traffickers getting the data and the intelligence. It is there and it is easier now to catch a trafficker than ever before because all traffickers use a cell phone,” he said.

He added: “We can provide intelligence on how to get a trafficker. We know where they are associated, chat groups, websites. This is a well-organised business and there is a demand for sex in the Caribbean.”

Pierre also said citizens must also play a part and reduce their appetite for sex.

“They must be mindful of what they do because it could be your daughter, your sister, someone else that you love. We have to reduce the demand for sex. Our moral compass should tell us that this is wrong,” Pierre said.

He said their database has enough information that the police could use.

“We have to take this thing seriously because it affects the economy and the social services. It cost the Government more when people are vulnerable. Someone must take charge. The US Embassy and the British High Commission’s intelligence have the data and the Canadian Embassy is supporting Trinidad if you want help. It’s about time we deal with this,” Pierre said.

He noted that T&T is a beautiful country and the people should demand an end to human trafficking.

On Thursday, Commissioner of Police Erla Harewood-Christopher ordered a probe into the allegations swirling in public over a UNC Parliamentarian’s alleged involvement in human trafficking, which was raised in a US State Department Trafficking in Persons report in 2020. There have been allegations of a UNC politician involved in trafficking and already, two former UNC Ministers have stepped forward to give information.