Venezuelan held in Malabar

A VENEZUELAN man,  believed to be wanted for murder in his homeland, and who has been hiding in Trinidad for the past two years, was arrested Thursday night by Northern Division Task Force officers when they stormed a Malabar house.

Up to late yesterday, local police were liaising with their Venezuelan counterparts via Interpol, and also the Venezuelan Embassy. According to reports, the Venezuelan national who is 52-years-old left his homeland in Tucupita, Venezuela, two years ago reportedly to escape arrest and prosecution. Northern Division police received certain information and around 10 pm on Thursday, a team of officers from the Northern Division Task Force and the Malabar police station, stormed a house at Casablanca Crescent, Phase One, Malabar and held the Venezuelan.

Up to yesterday, the national was in police custody while diplomatic and legal lines of communication were implemented. Sources said local police, through Interpol, were liaising with the Venezuelan police. Once it is established officially that the Venezuelan is a fugitive from justice, efforts would be made to have him deported to his homeland to face charges. Police sources said the man stowed away on a cargo vessel which came into port in Trinidad to refuel.