Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago — Major Roger Best, the former director of the Strategic Services Agency (SSA), was arrested on May 16 along with three others following a two-and-a-half-month investigation into various allegations against SSA agents. The individuals arrested include Pastor Ian Brown, a former special reserve officer assigned to the SSA, Portell Griffith, a former security supervisor, and Sgt Sherwin Waldron, previously assigned to the Special Operations Response Team.
The investigation centered on allegations of improper transfer and possession of firearms from the police to the SSA. Best faces potential charges for possessing an MP5K Heckler and Koch automatic sub-machine gun in violation of the Firearm Act and possible misconduct in public office for the transfer of two Sig Sauer MPX guns and two Sig Sauer 516 rifles.
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In the course of the investigation, police searched the homes of Best and his co-accused, seizing electronic devices for examination by the cyber and social media unit to scrutinize any communications and stored data.
On May 18, while still in police custody, Best was officially dismissed from his position as SSA director by acting president Nigel de Freitas, following advice from the Cabinet.
Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley addressed the media at Piarco International Airport upon his return from a trip to Ghana and India. He acknowledged that the government was “blindsided” by the developments at the SSA but responded swiftly and decisively. “The government was able to be informed at an early stage, and we approached it with vigor and commitment. There is an ongoing, very serious investigation, and some of what has been unearthed has been quite troublesome,” Rowley said.
Rowley emphasized that the investigation revealed potential criminal conduct, and the Cabinet acted promptly when necessary. He offered little detail about the ongoing audit into the agency but assured that efforts are being made to rectify the issues and return the SSA to its intended purpose.
Regarding Best’s replacement, Rowley stated that it had been arranged “a long time” ago. He praised the acting director, retired Brig Gen Anthony Phillips-Spencer, who was recalled from his role as ambassador to the US to lead the audit into the SSA. “When we realized that we had a problem of this nature, the government acted swiftly. Brig Spencer is as good an officer as we could have had to deal with this situation, and he will continue to hold it for a while,” Rowley noted.
When asked about the link between Best, Pastor Brown, and Phillips-Spencer at the Washington embassy, Rowley confirmed that the authorities were aware and had recalled the individual involved as the investigation progressed. “There’s a very broad-spectrum investigation taking place. An audit is being done of infrastructure, personnel, and processes that cover everything and everybody,” he added.
Rowley dismissed concerns about potential influence over Phillips-Spencer or the investigation being compromised. Meanwhile, police are continuing their investigations and will consult with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on whether there is sufficient evidence to bring criminal charges against the four men.
Officers of the Professional Standards Bureau met with DPP Roger Gaspard, who reviewed their findings and provided further instructions.
The government’s decisive actions and ongoing investigations aim to restore integrity and accountability within the SSA, ensuring that those responsible for any misconduct are held accountable.
