Mystery surrounds ‘police’ search of pastor’s home

POLICE Commission-er Hilton Guy has instructed senior officers of the Central Division to investigate a report that the Cunupia home of Pastor Vishnu Latch-mansingh was searched on Friday for firearms and ammunition.

The search, deemed illegal by the police, was reportedly carried out at Latchmansingh’s home at Las Lomas #1, Chin Chin Road. No search warrant was presented. Senior officers told Sunday Newsday that no one from the Central Division was given instructions to search the Pastor’s home.  It is believed that the officers, who were clad in police garb, came from the Port-of-Spain Division. Up to late yesterday, however, police said no one had come forward to claim responsibility for the illegal search at Latchmansingh’s home. According to reports around 12.30 pm Fri-day, a police vehicle and two unmarked vehicles pulled up at the Pastor’s home, while he was cutting some palm trees. The police officers reportedly barged in and told Latchman-singh that they were there to search his home for illegal firearms and ammunition.

Police sources said Latchmansingh left what he was doing and walked the officers through his home.  Nothing was found and the officers left the Pastor’s home. Sometime after, police said Latchman-singh contacted the Police Commissioner, who then contacted senior officers of the Central Division. A police source told Sunday Newsday yesterday that Guy was very upset about the search and police were wondering if it was bonafide police officers who carried out the search. Officers visited the Pastor’s home yesterday. Latchmansingh re-portedly told police that he does not know who the officers were. He is the Pastor at the Faith Sanctuary Family Ministries, Union Road, Marabella, and at Church Street, Las Lomas #1, Chin Chin Road, Cunupia. The Pastor does a weekly Sunday religious programme on Trinidad and Tobago Television (TTT).  Latchmansingh is reported to have inherited a large amount of money. Snr Supt Philip Carmona, head of the Central Division is heading the investigations, which also includes acting Insp Hubert Kirk. The Pastor was unavailable for comment.