Fishermen could be re-indicted

DIRECTOR OF Public Prosecutions (DPP) Geoffrey Henderson is expected to respond later this week to a file submitted by Police Commissioner Everad Snaggs on the release of two Barbadian fishermen caught fishing illegally in Trinidad and Tobago waters. The file, which was submitted last week, contained statements from Tobago police officers on the incident. Only the DPP has the authority to order the release of anyone charged with an offence. The DPP also has the authority to re-indict the fishermen and internal disciplinary charges could be laid against the police officers who gave instructions not to offer evidence against them.

On February 7, 47-year-old Joseph Mason and 61-year-old Samuel Firebrace were held by the Coast Guard and charged with fishing illegally in Trinidad and Tobago waters. Two days later, on February 9, prosecutor in the Scarborough Magistrates’ Court, Cpl John Morrison, told Magistrate Joan Gill the police had decided not to offer any evidence in the matter and the two fishermen were allowed to leave the courtroom. The prosecutor said he was acting on instructions from senior officers in Tobago. After being released, the fishermen left Tobago with 13 kingfish, 11 dolphin and over 3,000 pounds of flying fish Senior police officers in Tobago confirmed yesterday they got instructions to release the fishermen from a Cabinet minister and a senior official of Government’s elite Anti-Crime Unit, led by Brigadier Peter Joseph. They denied newspaper reports that a mix-up caused the Bajan fishermen to walk free and claimed that an attempt is being made to cover up the issue.

On February 12, the DPP wrote Snaggs asking for a report on the release of the two fishermen. Snaggs directed Snr Supt Benjamin Watson, the officer in charge of the Tobago Division to investigate the matter. Several persons were interviewed and statements recorded. The file was submitted to the Commissioner who passed it on to Deputy Commissioner Trevor Paul to review. The file was returned to the Commissioner who submitted it to the DPP last week.