National Security Minister: Smith Human Trafficking Case A Sensitive Matter

Minister of National Security, Fitzgerald Hinds, has refrained from commenting on allegations against a police officer made during a court proceeding involving fugitive Anthony Michael Smith. During the matter, a 16 year old girl said she was forced into a life of prostitution by Smith, and that one of her last clients was a police officer. Smith became Trinidad and Tobago's first conviction under the Trafficking in Persons Act. He, however, managed to remove his electronic monitoring device while on bail during the trial. Minister Hinds said the conviction against Anthony Michael Smith had worked in Trinidad and Tobago's favour. He believes there is a bigger issue at play for the country's reputation. Minister Hinds was speaking to members of the media outside the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) in Port of Spain.