A prominent Trinidad and Tobago businessman and his wife were detained by police on Wednesday after officers executed search warrants at two properties as part of an ongoing investigation.

The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) said investigators searched the couple’s homes in Westmoorings and Trincity, two affluent communities in Trinidad, under warrants issued by the Supreme Court of Judicature.

The couple are currently assisting police with enquiries. No charges have been laid and authorities have not disclosed whether any items were seized during the operation.

However, the Trinidad Express reported that investigators removed laptops, electronic devices and other items belonging to the couple and their children.

The police action comes amid a wider government crackdown on organised crime and trafficking networks.

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar announced that members of the elite United States Navy SEALs would be deployed to Trinidad and Tobago to assist local authorities in targeting criminal networks involved in drug trafficking, illegal firearms and human trafficking.

The issue was also raised in Parliament during debate on the extension of the State of Emergency, where Attorney General John Jeremie delivered a warning to influential members of the country’s business community, often referred to as the “one per cent”, who have long faced allegations of links to organised crime.

“To the persons among us who consider that their wealth allows them guarantees from prosecution, we say that those days are behind us,” Jeremie said.

“If you behave as gang members, you shall be treated in exactly the same way as blue-collar gang members are.”

He also disclosed that several members of the business community have recently had their United States visas revoked.

Despite the high-profile nature of Wednesday’s operation, the TTPS stressed that the execution of a search warrant is a routine investigative step and should not be interpreted as evidence of guilt.

“No conclusions should be drawn regarding the status of any individual until investigations are completed and any evidence is properly assessed in accordance with due process,” the police service said.