Gang leader gunned down

MOKESH DYAL, the head of a killer gang responsible for several executions, kidnappings, shootings, robberies and other serious crimes was gunned down in an exchange of gunfire with police officers early yesterday.

Police seized a .44 revolver and ammunition from the scene of the shoot-out. Dyal who was also known as Channlal Sookoo of Freeport is believed to have been hiding out at a house on Old Tim Street in Curepe, for the past three months. He had matters pending at the Tunapuna and Arima courts for firearm offences. An autopsy carried out yesterday at the Forensic Science Centre revealed that death was due to gunshot injuries. Senior police officers said yesterday that Dyal was a menace to society and a criminal. Reports revealed that around 8.15 am yesterday, officers of the Southern Division CID and Northern Division, went to the house at Old Tim Street, Curepe, to execute a search warrant for arms and ammunition.  Dyal, who was described as the country’s most wanted man was alone in the house when the police announced their presence. Reports revealed that officers were greeted by rapid gunfire when they announced their presence. They returned fire.

Dyal,44, who was also described as one of the suspects in the shooting death of PC Derrick Nelson at Rivulet Road, Couva, was killed instantly in the exchange of gunfire. When the smoke cleared a check was made and a bleeding Dyal was discovered in a bedroom of the house. He was rushed to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Senior officers of the Northern Division were called to the scene of the shooting death, and Ag Commissioner Everald Snaggs and ACP Crime Oswyn Allard were informed of the incident. Senior officers said yesterday that Dyal was wanted in almost every police division for serious crimes. They claimed that he had access to sophisticated arms and ammunition.

On April 30, 2001, Dyal and his 24-year-old girlfriend were held while hiding at a Tunapuna house. Dyal was wearing a wig at the time  he was held. A loaded automatic firearm, several rounds of ammunition, a cell phone and false number plates were allegedly found in the house. Dyal at that time — April 30 — offered no resistance when the house was surrounded by a large contingent of officers . His arrest then ended five months of a relentless effort by the police to bring Dyal into custody. Dyal appeared in court on several charges of robbery and was granted bail. He returned to a life of crime. On Friday April 7, 2001, three members of a gang were killed in a shoot-out with police at the Gulf View traffic lights, La Romaine. Sudesh Dyal, a brother of Mokesh, Neil Singh and Adesh Ramkissoon were those killed. The gang was said to be responsible for a five-month killing spree accross south Trinidad. The gang which included Mokesh reportedly murdered four persons and wounded 12 others.