DPP sends back fishermen’s file to CoP

THE Director of Public Prosecutions Geoffrey Henderson has sent a letter to Police Commissioner Everald Snaggs reminding him that only the DPP or the office of the DPP, has the power to order the release of anyone charged by the police. This letter was sent to Snaggs following the release of two Barbadian fishermen who were charged with fishing illegally in Trinidad and Tobago waters several weeks ago Newsday learned that on Monday, the DPP returned a file sent by the police on the release of the fishermen.

The DPP reportedly expressed his disappointment over the lack of information in the report and sent it back for further investigations. He also noted that the report sent by the police did not indicate who gave the order for the release of the fishermen. A source in the office of the DPP revealed that because of the missing links in the report, it seemed that someone was trying to skirt the responsibility of what happened, or they were trying to cover up the matter. Sources also revealed that the DPP was not pleased with the shabbiness of the file on the Barbadian fishermen. He felt that his time was wasted in dealing with an incomplete report. The file was submitted by the Commissioner two weeks ago.

On February 7, two Barbadian fishermen, 47-year old Joseph Mason and 61-year old Samuel Firebrace, were arrested and charged with fishing illegally in Trinidad and Tobago waters. On Februray 9, Cpl John Morrison, prosecuting at the Scarborough Magistrate’s Court indicated to Magistrate Joan Gill that the police had decided not to offer any evidence against the two fishermen and they were allowed to go free. They sailed from Tobago with the fish they had caught. On February 10, the DPP wrote Commissioner Snaggs asking for full details on who ordered the release of the fishermen.