Public Utilities Minister Marvin Gonzales says police are probing allegations of water racketeering in the Sangre Grande district.

He said this stems from reports that residents are made to pay between $300 and $500 for a truckload of water and claims water installations are tampered with.

Gonzales made these remarks during a Water and Sewage Authority double sod-turning ceremony for the Guanapo and North Oropouche water treatment plants at Guanapo Heights, Arima, on February 19. He was joined by his parliamentary colleagues, Minister of Planning Penelope Beckles-Robinson, Youth Development Minister Foster Cummings, and Cumuto/Manzanilla MP Dr Rai Ragbir.

Gonzales, the acting Attorney General, said people involved in illegal water-trucking see the development of both plants as a "death knell" to their

activities. Gonzales believes these individuals will not sit idly by when the water supply is improved.

Gonzales believes it is crucial people receive a steady supply of water. He added there are "people in dark corners conspiring" to affect the water supply when the plant comes online.

He emphasised families should spend their money on more important needs, such as buying extra food, rice, flour, or providing for their families and children's education, rather than spending hundreds on truck-borne water. He said the issue of illegal water trucking is not limited to Sangre Grande.

"It is appalling that people are spending money on water instead of meeting their basic needs."

Speaking with media, Gonzales said while he could not delve into the investigation, evidence he had was forwarded to the police Anti-Corruption Unit. He said his ministry is handling it from an administrative perspective and stressed the police are responsible for handling it from a criminal perspective.

Asked about the specific crimes involved in such activity and the potential penalties, Gonzales said, "That is the responsibility of the police to determine.

"They will assess whether any laws have been broken, and if so, they will take the appropriate action."

Last June, Sangre Grande Regional Corporation (SGRC) chairman Kenwyn Phillip said the corporation had been overwhelmed with calls from residents in desperate need of water, amidst limited availability of truck supply.

He said the residents also told him about an illegal water trucking racket involving some SGRC employees.

Earlier in January, Foreign Minister Amery Brown announced in the Senate, while responding to a query from UNC Senator Wade Mark, an investigation had been launched into complaints made by residents of Sangre Grande regarding the alleged illegal water trucking scheme involving corporation employees.

Gonzales said he expects the outcome of the investigation will result in action being taken against those culpable. He highlighted a similar incident in Mon Diablo, where a contractor was charged.

"It was never made public because it was not my duty or the duty of the Ministry of Public Utilities to make it public. But WASA, working toget