TT cop: Coup guns cleared 3 months before

Hercules, an acting Sergeant, told the Florida jury that he has been a policeman for more than 25 years. He admitted knowing Lance Small, pointing to the accused who was first dressed in a navy blue shirt and then switched to a black shirt before the end of the day.

Hercules said he was one of the officers outside the Television House when Lance Small surrendered days after the coup attempt.

Hercules said he received information from external sources that the guns from the coup originated from Miami. The guns were seized, and the serial numbers sent to the ATF in Broward.

"We were able to determine that the firearms emanated in Miami, Florida. I remember the date the guns were cleared by the Trinidad and Tobago Customs. That was on the 14th of April 1990."

Under cross-examination by trial attorney Joseph Gibson, Hercules said he lived in Trinidad during 1970.

GIBSON: There was a coup that year?

HERCULES: No, it wasn't a coup, it was a revolt against the hierachy of the army.

GIBSON: Is it true that six legislators were killed during the coup?

HERCULES: No, it was just one, he got shot inside the Red House by members of the Jamaat al Muslimeen who stormed the Red House.

GIBSON: Who is the leader of the Jamaat al Muslimeen?

HERCULES: Yasin Abu Bakr, he still lives in Trinidad.

GIBSON: On the 27th of July 1990, were you outside the television house?

HERCULES: No, I was in my office in St James.

GIBSON: Could you tell me if there was an inquiry into the 1990 coup?

HERCULES: The official inquiry into the 1990 coup started on the 2nd of August 1990, the day of the surrender. I can't say if it was completed. Special Branch works on a need to know basis.