Trini prison escapee from Grenada recaptured in Marabella

AN ESCAPEE FROM the prison in Grenada was recaptured in Marabella on Saturday night. Police said the prisoner, Chanderbhal Mahabir, is originally a Trinidadian of Penal Rock Road, Penal. Mahabir, 40, was rooted out of his hideout by a police team from South Operations Unit, headed by Sgt Charles, together with Marabella Police. Police were uncertain as to how long Mahabir had taken cover in the southern district, but said they received information on his location over the weekend. Newsday was told that Mahabir was serving a two-year prison term in Grenada for possession of 10 kilogrammes of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. His prison term was due to end in December, a senior cop said. Mahabir was one of scores of prisoners who escaped when the Grenada jail at Richmond Hill was damaged after Hurricane Ivan directly hit the island on September 7.

Many of the prisoners fled the jail when the roof collapsed, except for Bernard Coard and members of his New Jewel Movement who are serving a life-sentence for the execution of former Prime Minister Maurice Bishop. Yesterday Special Branch police officers interviewed the prison escapee, and he is expected to be handed over to officials of the Ministry of National Security for his handing over to Grenadian police. While most of the prisoners were re-captured, last month Grenadian Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell issued an official call to those prisoners who were unaccounted for to turn themselves in to the police and prison authorities, or face the consequences of being charged with escaping lawful custody.