Murder on the high seas

Officers of the Homicide Bureau yesterday boarded a Taiwanese fishing trawler docked at National Fisheries in Sea Lots to investigate the murder of the captain and crew member of the trawler. Two other crew members were detained by the homicide officers and attempts were being made yesterday to secure the services of a translator to interview the two suspects. Reports revealed that on September 27 last year, the Captain Hunj Kunxu and crew member Zhanj Weicai along with other crew members departed from Sea Lots aboard the trawler Pri-Ocean 2 and set sail for other countries to do deep sea trawling.

On March 8, the chief engineer aboard the trawler discovered the captain and one crew member missing. He contacted Continental Handlers Limited, the local shipping agent and reported the disappearance of the two men. Officers of the Homicide Bureau, Immigration and the Port-of-Spain CID were contacted. Officers led by Snr Supt Dyo Mohammed and Ag Inspector Sahadeo Singh of Homicide Bureau boarded the trawler along with crime scene officers and a search was carried out. The cabin of the captain was thoroughly searched and blood stains were found on pieces of wood, clothing and other items. The cabin appeared to be ransacked and several items stolen.

Two 23-year-old crew members were arrested and taken to the Homicide office where they were detained. Officers returned to the trawler where they carried out further enquiries into the two murders. Senior homicide officers admitted yesterday that they were experiencing difficulty in securing the services of a translator to assist them in interviewing the two suspects. Officers told Newsday that investigations such as murder on the high seas are difficult to investigate because of the location where the deaths occurred and the language barrier. Up until late yesterday, the crew aboard the trawler were assisting investigators.