4 cops transferred over missing rum

Four police constables attached to the police canteen in Port-of-Spain are expected to be transferred out of the canteen by the end of the week.

Newsday learnt that a recommendation was made last week to Snr Supt Reyes, head of the Port-of-Spain CID, for the officers to be transferred. Reyes expressed concern over the alleged non-cooperation in the investigation. Four civilian employees at the canteen are also expected to be shifted. The recommendation was made after police investigators complained about the non-cooperation of some officers and civilians employed at the canteen in the investigation into the larceny of 32 cases of rum from the canteen.

Investigators told Newsday that when the 32 cases of rum went missing late December, they acted on a tip-off and raided two bars, one in Central and the other in Tunapuna. Boxes carrying special markings were seized as well as a quantity of alcohol. Those exhibits were shown to staff at the canteen to verify the markings on the boxes, but none of the employees were allegedly willing to assist investigators. Newsday understands that up until yesterday, no one was detained in connection with the larceny of the rum valued $56,000. Police officers feel that the investigation has now reached a dead end because of the non-cooperation.