On June 26, 2025, a Trinidad and Tobago national was sentenced in Florida for smuggling firearms and ammunition from the United States into Trinidad and Tobago. The arms and ammunition were seized in Port of Spain in July 2023. The case involved close collaboration between the U.S. and TT governments.
Videsh Chandoo, 44, was sentenced in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida by Judge William P. Dimitrouleas to 18 months imprisonment, followed by three years’ supervised release. He was charged with smuggling seven pistols and 332 rounds of ammunition from the United States into Trinidad and Tobago.
In January 2025, with assistance from the U.S. Embassy Port of Spain, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Diplomatic Security Service, and the Trinidad and Tobago Office of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs, Chandoo agreed to travel to the United States to answer the charge instead of being extradited. He pleaded guilty on April 4, 2025.
The arms and ammunition were seized by officers of the Trinidad and Tobago Customs and Excise Division (TTCED) on July 14, 2023, during an inspection at Shed 10, Port of Spain. The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service contacted TTCED embedded U.S. CBP Advisor based on information shared with several U.S agencies including Homeland Security Investigations. Chandoo was identified as the trafficker through collaboration with these agencies.
U.S. Embassy Port of Spain Chargé d’Affaires Dr. Jenifer Neidhart de Ortiz stated that this case exemplifies successes achieved due to strong bilateral relations between both countries' law enforcement agencies.
“Together we will arrest and convict bad actors," she said.
“This case is only one example of ATF’s successes,” said Acting Director Daniel Driscoll.
“ATF’s investigative expertise directly contributed to Chandoo's apprehension.”