Eight Detention Orders have been issued for the immediate arrest of alleged criminal elements throughout this country, following intelligence that some of the individuals were planning a daring daylight attempt on the life of a Barataria woman following a land dispute.

Others, it was alleged, had access to high-powered firearms and planned reprisal killings throughout the country.

On Wednesday evening, Minister of Homeland Security Roger Alexander confirmed to the Express that he was in the process of signing 'several detention orders' which would go into effect by the end of the night.

"These will be done in keeping with the Government's plan to ensure that criminal elements are removed from the streets, and that the citizenry is protected. So we are using the tools available to us to get the bad guys, and you can expect more (Detention Orders) in the near future," Alexander told the Express.

By midnight, the orders had been issued.

They have named Kareem King, Nathaniel Joseph Sheppherd, Raphael Randy St Rose, Khalfini Kosi Smith, Kyle Farrell, Maliq Kareem Ferdinand, Nimal Mahadeo, and Terrence Maloney.

The Orders were made by Alexander in accordance with Paragraph 2 of the Schedule to the Emergency Powers Regulations (2025).

The Schedule says that the Minister may, if satisfied with respect to any person that, act "with a view to preventing him from acting in any manner prejudicial to public safety and, it is necessary to provide for his preventive detention, make an order that he be detained and stating concisely the grounds for such detention; and whereas it is further provided in paragraph 3(1) of the Schedule of the Emergency Powers Regulations, 2025, that any person in respect of whom a detention order is in force may be arrested without warrant by any police officer and may be detained in such place and under such conditions as the Minister may from time to time direct."

These provisions provide for preventive detention with a view to preventing persons from acting in a manner prejudicial to the public safety of Trinidad and Tobago.

The eight individuals are expected to be kept at the Eastern Correctional Rehabilitation Centre located in Santa Rosa, Arima, once they have been arrested.

While the Orders were published yesterday, the date on the signed Orders is July 26.

King, who is from Pitman Lane, Gonzales, Belmont, has been identified as a gang member within the meaning of the Act and poses an immediate threat to public safety.

"This threat is established by information and intelligence, including sworn statements from persons who can identify the detainee as a gang member," the Order read.

It was said that King, along with Terrence Maloney and Kyle Farrell, has been identified as having access to a cache of high-powered rifles.

"All are suspects in an ongoing homicide investigation into the murder of Marvin Phillip. Furthermore, the detainee (King) is involved in a plan to assassinate Josiah Phillip in a planned reprisal killing for the murder of Terrence Maloney's nephew on 13 July, 2025. Threats were also made by the detainee to members of the public on 18 July, 2025," the order read.

Sheppherd, also called Shirty of Jesse Lane, Waterhole, Cocorite, was identified "as a known gunman and member of a gang" within the meaning of the Anti-Gang Act and "poses an immediate threat to public safety."

The Order continued, "This threat is established by information and intelligence, including sworn statements from persons who can identify the detainee as a gang member. The detainee is currently under investigation for the attempted murder of Juma Brewster. Furthermore, the detainee has been gifted two rifles" from two named persons who the order alleges are known gang members and facilitators.

The Order also claimed that Sheppherd was part of a group that conspired to kill a woman who is from the Barataria area.

"This murder is planned to be executed in a public place during a working day at a time when there will be maximum exposure to ordinary citizens. There is a serious risk of harm being caused to members of the public in the vicinity of this imminent act. The detainee has been identified as having access to a cache of high-powered rifles," the Order read.

St Rose, AKA 'Pluppy', 'Ploopy', and 'Heads', of Fifth Street, Barataria was identified as a known gunman and member of a gang within the meaning of the Anti-Gang Act and poses an immediate threat to public safety.

He too, was linked to the conspiracy to kill a woman in broad daylight and was also identified as having access to a cache of high-powered rifles and continues to "direct known shooters."

It was alleged that he took part in suspected retaliatory shootings along with other persons.

This threat was also established by information and intelligence, including sworn statements from persons who can identify the detainee as a gang member.

Mahadeo, of Johnny King Road, Aranguez was identified as a key facilitator providing surveillance and logistical support to known gang members. He was also linked to a conspiracy to kill a Barataria murder in broad daylight.

Smith, AKA 'Kosi' and 'Smithy', was identified as a member of an Organised Criminal Group (OCG) referred to as the RC7 Gang which is a faction of the Seven gang.

This gang, the Order read, "is recognised for its high propensity for violence and involvement in organised criminal activity."

It went on, "The detainee has been identified as a shooter and he, along with other known members of the RC7 Gang (names called) plan to imminently commit acts of reprisal shootings with high-powered rifles, and other acts which are prejudicial to public safety arising from the shooting and killing of suspected gang member Omarie McEachnie."

Farrell AKA 'Randy Ali', 'Darko', and 'Draco' was identified as a gang member.

It was said that Farrell, along with Terrence Maloney and Kareem King, has been identified as having access to a cache of high-powered rifles.

"All are suspects in an ongoing homicide investigation into the murder of Marvin Phillip. The detainee is (also) involved in a plan to assassinate Josiah Phillip in a planned reprisal killing for the murder of Terrence Maloneys nephew on 13th July, 2025. Threats were also made by the detainee to member of the public on 18th July, 2025."

Ferdinand, AKA 'Mad Dog' as well as 'Bake and Cheese' was also identified as a member of the RC7 Gang/

"The detainee has been identified as a shooter, and he, along with other known members of the RC7 Gang (names printed), plan to imminently commit acts of reprisal shootings with high-powered rifles, and other acts which are prejudicial to public safety arising from the shooting and killing of suspected gang member Omarie McEachnie."

Maloney AKA T-Man and Ice, was identified as a gang member. It was said that he has previous convictions for firearm-related offences and is currently on bail for these offences.

"Furthermore, the detainee, along with Karrem King and Kyle Farrell has been identified as having access to a cache of high-powered rifles. All are suspects in an ongoing homicide investigation into the murder of Marvin Phillip. The detainee is involved in a plan to assassinate Josiah Phillip in a planned reprisal killing for the murder of Terrence Maloney's nephew on July 13, 2025. Threats were also made by the detainee to members of the public on July 18, 2025," the Order read.