Suspects in police shootout in court today

TWO SUSPECTS, who were involved in a shoot-out with police during a $3 million drug bust in Moruga and in which another man was shot dead, are expected to appear before a Port-of-Spain magistrate today. The suspects, ages 20 and 23, of St Mary’s Village, Moruga, were charged with possession of arms and ammunition and trafficking marijuana and cocaine. The deceased, Lester James, 27, was pronounced dead on arrival at the San Fernando General Hospital. James was a prime suspect in the kidnapping of 11-year-old Vijay Persad who was snatched from his Moruga home last June.

Persad has not yet been found. Police said James was also a suspect in a murder at Princes Town last year. James met his death on Saturday morning shortly after midnight. It was around 12.15 pm when a party of officers from the Port-of-Spain CID observed a car parked along Moruga Road with three occupants. As the officers  approached the car, the occupants opened fire on the police. The officers returned fire and James was shot about his body. The two other suspects subsequently surrendered to the police. When lawmen searched the vehicle they found a large quantity of marijuana and cocaine and a loaded pistol.