Above: TSTT’s General Manager Networks and Information Technology, Kenrick Garcia, Chairman Sean Roach and CEO Lisa Agard (right) at the site. Photos courtesy TSTT

TSTT updated an earlier press release on an incident of cable theft affecting thousands of customers in South Trinidad.

A high-powered police team has been assembled to investigate a malicious act targeting TSTT’s underground cables which resulted in service disruptions to customers and at least one million dollars in damages.

Officers from the Special Branch, Central Intelligence Bureau, Criminal Investigations Department (San Fernando) have been tasked by the Police Commissioner (Ag) McDonald Jacob with finding the perpetrators whose deliberate acts inconvenienced thousands of people and businesses.

Jacob, who visited the scene on Sunday, said “this is something of a very serious nature because of the high disruption of services to all customers, especially in the Southern and South Western areas, and it also posed a security risk to the whole communication network.”

“The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service views this occurrence as a serious infringement on the communication apparatus of this country. At a first glance, it appeared to be malicious damage and larceny. From speaking with the technical people at TSTT, it is amounting to approximately $1 million in damages,” he added.

The Police Commissioner is confident that the culprits will be brought to justice soon.  “There are some leads, and we are looking in the near future to solve this matter as we continue with the good cooperation of the TSTT security and the administration of TSTT.”

TSTT’s CEO Lisa Agard thanked the Commissioner of Police (Ag) for his response and is hopeful that the vandals will be brought to swift justice.

TSTT strongly condemns these deliberate and selfish acts and reminds those responsible that there are legal implications when caught.

The site of today’s cable theft as TSTT workers repair the damage.

Original release…

A malicious act targeting TSTT’s underground cables overnight has resulted in service interruptions to some of our valued customers. The company has mobilised crews and is working assiduously to restore service in the shortest time possible.

Preliminary investigations reveal a major act of vandalism on a critical cable artery that services customers in South Trinidad. As a result, customers’ mobile, internet and other services will be severely impacted. Customers in other parts of the country may also experience a degradation or interruption in their service because of this act of vandalism.

TSTT strongly condemns these deliberate and selfish acts that negatively impact customers, communities and businesses and reminds those responsible that there are legal implications when caught. The company has engaged the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service and an investigation is being launched into this latest incident.

TSTT assures customers that repairs are underway and full service is expected to be restored later today.